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  • G.A. Farrell & Associates Ltd | Webinars

    G.A. Farrell & Associates Ltd, a leading firm of Chartered Valuation Surveyors, specialized in the valuation of properties in Trinidad & Tobago. Webinars 2024 Residential Real Estate Webinar 2022 Commercial Real Estate Webinar - Clint Langton's Presentation 2022 Commercial Real Estate Webinar 2022 Residential Real Estate Webinar 2021 Commercial Real Estate Webinar

  • G.A. Farrell & Associates Ltd | Our Story

    G.A. Farrell & Associates Ltd, a leading firm of Chartered Valuation Surveyors, specialized in the valuation of properties in Trinidad & Tobago. Our Story G.A. Farrell & Associates Limited is a leading firm of Chartered Valuation Surveyors who specialize in the valuation of properties in Trinidad and Tobago. In 1976 Gordon Farrell, FRICS, retired from his career as the Director of Surveys, Land and Surveys Department. With over 30 years invaluable experience, he established G. A. Farrell & Associates Limited. Since then the company has grown to become one of the foremost firms of valuation surveyors in Trinidad and Tobago. The founding partner, Gordon Farrell, was joined in 1998 by two other partners, Mark Farrell and Derek de Gannes . They trained abroad in the USA and UK respectively and on their return to Trinidad they brought with them a wealth of international experience, each having worked abroad for over ten years. Mr. Gordon Farrell retired from the company after 32 years in 2008. In order to maintain its high level of professionalism and its contact with the international market, the firm has a policy of Continuing Professional Education. Its professional staff are required to complete at least 20 hours per year. Courses are attended mainly abroad and by correspondence. Some local seminars have also proved to be useful. G. A. Farrell & Associates Limited has grown from a small family practice to a large professional firm and maintains a high ratio of professional staff to administrative staff. It now has offices in Port of Spain (Ariapita Avenue), Chaguanas (Mulchan Seuchan Road), San Fernando (Harris Street), Arima (Shops of Arima) and Tobago (Tateco Building). Its Quantity Surveying consultant is Mr. Clifford Murray (MRICS). Our Founder turns 100 READ MORE

  • G.A. Farrell & Associates Ltd | Anti-Bribery & Corruption Policy

    G.A. Farrell & Associates Ltd, a leading firm of Chartered Valuation Surveyors, specialized in the valuation of properties in Trinidad & Tobago. Anti-Bribery & Corruption Policy G.A. Farrell & Associates Limited (”GAF&A”) is committed to maintaining industry standards, best practice and ethics. In this regard, this policy exists so that GAF&A and those who work for the company observe and uphold a zero-tolerance position on bribery and corruption. POLICY STATEMENT GAF&A is committed to conducting business in an ethical and honest manner and is committed to implementing and enforcing systems that ensure bribery is prevented. GAF&A’s zero- tolerance for bribery and corrupt activities means it is committed to acting professionally, fairly, and with integrity in all business dealings and relationships, wherever in the country we operate. GAF&A will constantly uphold all laws relating to anti-bribery and corruption, in particular, Prevention of Corruption Act 11:11 as amended. GAF&A recognises that bribery and corruption are punishable on conviction on indictment to a fine of twenty thousand dollars and to imprisonment for two years or on summary conviction to a fine of two thousand dollars and to imprisonment for four months. DEFINITION OF BRIBERY Bribery refers to the act of offering, giving, promising, asking, agreeing, receiving, accepting, or soliciting something of value or of an advantage so to induce or influence an action or decision. A bribe refers to any inducement, reward, or object/item or value offered to another individual in order to gain commercial, contractual, regulatory, or personal advantage. Bribery is not limited to the act of offering a bribe. If an individual is on the receiving end of a bribe and they accept it, they are also breaking the law. Bribery is illegal. Employees must not engage in any form of bribery, whether it be directly, passively (as described above), or through a third party (such as an agent or distributor). They must not bribe a foreign public official anywhere in the world. They must not accept bribes in any degree and if they are uncertain about whether something is a bribe or a gift or act of hospitality, they must seek further advice from the company’s compliance manager. WHAT IS AND WHAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE This section of the policy is sub-divided into four (4) areas: Gifts and hospitality GAF&A accepts normal and appropriate gestures of hospitality and goodwill (whether given to/received from third parties) so long as the giving or receiving of gifts meets the following requirements: It is not made with the intention of influencing the party to whom it is being given, to obtain or reward the retention of a business or a business advantage, or as an explicit or implicit exchange for favours or benefits. It is not made with the suggestion that a return favour is expected. It is in compliance with local law. It is given in the name of the company, not in an individual’s name. It does not include cash or a cash equivalent (e.g. a voucher or gift certificate). It is appropriate for the circumstances \e.g. giving small gifts around Christmas or as a small thank you to a company for helping with a large project upon completion). It is of an appropriate type and value and given at an appropriate time, taking into account the reason for the gift. It is given/received openly, not secretly. It is not selectively given to a key, influential person, clearly with the intention of directly influencing them. It is not above a certain excessive value, as pre-determined by the company‘s compliance manager. It is not offered to, or accepted from, a government official or representative or politician or political party, without the prior approval of the company’s compliance manager. Where it is inappropriate to decline the offer of a gift (i.e. when meeting with an individual of a certain religion/culture who may take offence), the gift may be accepted so long as it is declared to the compliance manager, who will assess the circumstances. GAF&A recognises that the practice of giving and receiving business gifts varies between countries, regions, cultures, and religions, so definitions of what is acceptable and not acceptable will inevitably differ for each. As good practice, gifts given and received should always be disclosed to the compliance manager. Gifts from suppliers should always be disclosed. The intention behind a gift being given/received should always be considered. If there is any uncertainty, the advice of the compliance manager should be sought. Facilitation payments and kickbacks GAF&A does not accept and will not make any form of facilitation payments of any nature. We recognise that facilitation payments are a form of bribery that involves expediting or facilitating the performance of a public official for a routine governmental action. We recognise that they tend to be made by low level officials with the intention of securing or speeding up the performance of a certain duty or action. GAF&A does not allow kickbacks to be made or accepted. We recognise that kickbacks are typically made in exchange for a business favour or advantage. GAF&A recognises that, despite our strict policy on facilitation payments and kickbacks, employees may face a situation where avoiding a facilitation payment or kickback may put their/their family’s personal security at risk. Under these circumstances, the following steps must be taken: Keep any amount to the minimum. Ask for a receipt, detailing the amount and reason for the payment. Create a record concerning the payment. Report this incident to your line manager. Political contributions GAF&A will not make donations, whether in cash, kind, or by any other means, to support any political parties or candidates. We recognise this may be perceived as an attempt to gain an improper business advantage. Charitable contributions GAF&A accepts the act of donating to charities — whether through services, knowledge, time, or direct financial contributions (cash or otherwise) — and agrees to disclose all charitable contributions it makes. Employees must be careful to ensure that charitable contributions are not used to facilitate and conceal acts of bribery. We will ensure that all charitable donations made are legal and ethical under local laws and practices, and that donations are not offered/made without the approval of the compliance manager.

  • G.A. Farrell & Associates Ltd | Property Tax Quick Facts

    G.A. Farrell & Associates Ltd, a leading firm of Chartered Valuation Surveyors, specialized in the valuation of properties in Trinidad & Tobago. Property Tax Quick Facts General Information NOTE: Please be advised that the Valuation Roll 2021 exercise is solely conducted by and for the Valuation Division of the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and therefore, does not apply to our business of providing valuations to clients. Kindly visit the Valuation Division’s website at https://valuationdivision.gov.tt/ for more information. Thank you. All Property Taxes between 1st January 2010 and 31st December 2017 have been waived. It has been announced that the ‘new’ Property tax for 2018 has also been waived. The Government of Trinidad & Tobago expects to commence the collection of property tax in fiscal 2021. A new Valuation Return Form has been designed which requests more information than the previous one. There has been no official word from the Ministry on when property owners would have to file this return. There is a fine of $5,000 for failing to submit this form when requested. Property owners will have 30 days to object to their assessment. There will be a Valuation Tribunal appointed to hear objections. The Valuation Tribunal will be headed by an Attorney and will comprise four other persons, two of whom will have qualifications and experience in Valuations. There is a $50,000 penalty for leaking of owners’ information. Nevertheless, a big drawback for homeowners is that unless the rental data supplied to the Commissioner of Valuations on the new Valuation Return Form is shared, it will be very difficult to prove an assessment is too high. This puts homeowners at a severe disadvantage as while property sales are registered and available to the general public, rental leases are hardly ever registered. Rental information is therefore extremely hard to come by and one often has to rely on verbal information from other property owners and real estate agents. Further fact sheets will be issued as and when additional information becomes available and will be published on this website. Your Property Tax on a residence will be calculated as follows: The monthly rental value (unfurnished) of your home will be determined by the Commissioner of Valuations. This monthly rental value will be multiplied by 12 to determine the annual rental value. subject to a minimum of $18,000. It is currently proposed to deduct 10% from your annual rental and the remainder will represent your taxable value. It should be mentioned that this deduction can be changed at the discretion of the Board of Inland Revenue. 3% will be calculated of your taxable value and this will represent your Property Tax. For commercial properties, the method remains the same but 5% of your taxable value will be your Property Tax

  • G.A. Farrell & Associates Ltd | Banking Details

    G.A. Farrell & Associates Ltd, a leading firm of Chartered Valuation Surveyors, specialized in the valuation of properties in Trinidad & Tobago. Banking details Please deposit make the deposit to any of the following accounts below: Republic Bank Limited Account: #510001024801 / G. A. Farrell & Associates Limited (Chequing) RBC Royal Bank Account: #100088110015889 / G. A. Farrell & Associates Limited (Chequing) First Citizens Bank Account: #2160780 / G. A. Farrell & Associates Limited (Savings)

  • G.A. Farrell & Associates Ltd | Valuation Videos

    G.A. Farrell & Associates Ltd, a leading firm of Chartered Valuation Surveyors, specialized in the valuation of properties in Trinidad & Tobago. Valuation Videos Valuation Return Part 1 - Manual Submission Valuation Return Part 2 - Online Submission

  • G.A. Farrell & Associates Ltd | Refinance

    G.A. Farrell & Associates Ltd, a leading firm of Chartered Valuation Surveyors, specialized in the valuation of properties in Trinidad & Tobago. Refinance for Profit Refinancing your mortgage means obtaining a new mortgage loan on your property and repaying the old one. There are many reasons why a property owner should consider refinancing and a few of these reasons are detailed below. The most obvious reason is when a property owner (let’s call him Mr. O. Ner) has an existing mortgage loan at say 12% p.a. and discovers that banks and insurance companies are now offering mortgage loans at 9% p.a. Mr. O. Ner should first approach his current lender and request that the interest rate be reduced. If his request is refused, Mr. O. Ner should then approach another mortgage institution to refinance his loan. If he has a mortgage loan of $600,000 over 25 years @ 12% p.a. and decides to refinance it at the new rate, his monthly mortgage payment would drop from $6,319.34 to $5,035.18. He would, therefore, save over $15,400 per annum!.Another reason why Mr. O. Ner may be considering refinancing is to consolidate his existing loans. He may have the following loans: $100,000 – monthly payment of $3,300 – taken for his child’s university education; $60,000 – monthly payment of $2,000 – taken for personal reasons such as to purchase a second car, furniture, etc. $525,000 – monthly payment of $6,310. – mortgage taken 10 years ago to purchase his home. When Mr. O. Ner now obtains a new mortgage loan of $725,000 (assuming that he has enough equity), he will be able to repay all of the above loans plus have $40,000 to help towards the closing costs for the new loan. If the new mortgage loan is at 9% p.a. over a 15 year period (the same time remaining on his prior mortgage loan), his new monthly payment will be $7,354 vs. the total monthly loan payments before of $11,620. This represents a monthly saving of $4,266! A third reason to consider is that Mr. O. Ner may wish to raise some capital in order to make some investments. This can be done by refinancing his existing mortgage loan assuming that he has enough equity. Once the expected rate of return on his proposed investments is greater than the interest rate on his new mortgage loan, (sometimes referred to as “leverage”), it is in Mr. O. Ner’s best interest to refinance. Before rushing out to refinance his property, there are many other factors that Mr. O. Ner should consider. One of the most important ones is the closing costs involved in repaying an existing mortgage loan and obtaining a new one. While this will vary from case to case, Mr. O. Ner should cater between 4% to 5% (of the new mortgage loan amount) as closing costs. In instances where Mr. O. Ner is refinancing due to lower mortgage interest rates, while his monthly savings is immediate, it will take about two years before his savings offset his closing costs on the new mortgage loan. (For more details on the closing costs involved in a mortgage loan, readers should refer to our page entitled “Buying a Home”. Mr. O. Ner should also check to see if there are any prepayment penalties on his old loan as that could have an effect on his decision. In the second refinancing scenario above, it must be remembered that while Mr. O. Ner will enjoy an immediate monthly saving, he is extending the time period for repaying his personal loans (loans 1 & 2). We strongly recommended that professional advice be obtained before making any type of major financial decision. The time to get professional advice is now. Property owners are urged to check with their accountant, lawyer, financial consultant or contact G.A. Farrell & Associates Limited.

  • G.A. Farrell & Associates Ltd | Purchase

    G.A. Farrell & Associates Ltd, a leading firm of Chartered Valuation Surveyors, specialized in the valuation of properties in Trinidad & Tobago. Buying A Home Buying A Home is one of the biggest investments/purchases most of us will ever make in our life. It normally involves borrowing a large sum of money which is to be paid back over 20-30 years – a significant part of our lifetime. Despite that, many buyers go into this exercise without knowing what to expect or what to look for. One of the most important aspects in buying a home is the cost/value. While no one will mind if they pay less than the home is worth, it is a different story to find that you have paid too much. Also, mortgage-lending institutions normally lend up to 90% of the value or cost of the home, whichever is the lower. For example, assume you are buying a home for $600,000 and hope to borrow $540,000. (You have made a $60,000 deposit from your own funds). If the valuer then determines the home that you are buying is worth only $540,000, the mortgage lending institution will only lend you $495,000 and you will have to find an extra $55,000 on your own or possibly lose the deposit you made on the house. There are two simple ways to avoid this happening to you. The easiest way is when you have finally decided what house you are going to buy, find out from your mortgage lending institution who are the valuers on their panel, then select one of them to value the house before you make a deposit. Another way is when making a deposit, specify that if the independent valuation report done by the Bank is less than the agreed purchase price, you have the option of canceling the contract and getting a full refund of your deposit. If you adopt this option, ensure that the deposit will be held in escrow with an attorney or other such professional to avoid problems if a refund becomes necessary. Another important factor to consider in purchasing a home is how much extra money you will need for closing costs. There are several costs involved in addition to the actual price of the house. Some of these include: Attorneys’ fees for the Deed of Conveyance which transfers the house to your name. It is based on the cost of the house and generally, it is 1.5% on the first $100,000; 0.75% on the next $400,000 and 0.5% on the balance. . (Shortcut if cost > $500,000 – Divide cost by 200 and add $2,000.)Don’t forget – add VAT @ 12.5% The Stamp Duty on the Deed of Conveyance. The first $850,000 of the purchase price is exempt. After that, it is 3% on the next $400,000; 5% on the succeeding $500,000 and 7.5% on the balance. The stamp duty is payable to the government and the rates stated here are for residential homes. (Shortcut if price > $1.750,000 – Calculate 7.5% of cost and subtract $94,250.) Attorneys’ fees for preparing the Deed of Mortgage. This is based on the amount of money you borrow and the rate is the same as in (1) above. This can be reduced by 50% if the same solicitor prepares both deeds and property not under RPA. Stamp Duty on the Deed of Mortgage. Again, this is based on the amount of money you borrow and is payable to the government. The amount varies depending on the type of property (residential, land, etc.), purchase or refinance, and if the amount borrowed is larger than the purchase price. In the case of a purchase of a residence, it is often $2.00 per $1,000 (0.2%) assuming mortgage is for more than $850,000. (If less, then there is no stamp duty). In other cases, it is $4.00 per $1,000 (0.4%). Valuation fees which are usually between 1/3 to 1/5 of 1% of the value of the property, plus VAT @ 12.5%. Mortgage Lending Institution Fee (Varies between 1/3 – 2% of the amount borrowed). Mortgage Indemnity Fee. The calculation of this depends on several circumstances. It can be either 1.5% of the loan amount or 18.5% (of which 6% is a government charge) of the amount on which the mortgage indemnity is taken. Let the loan officer advise you on this. Do not forget the house itself. There are many questions you have to ask yourself. What is the traffic like at rush hours (a.m. and p.m.)? Remember you will be in it for the next 20-25 years. Do all the plumbing fixtures work? If not, why not? Is the electrical wiring adequate for all you equipment? (e.g. fridge, stove, a/c, kettle, washer, dryer, etc.) Do you see any leak stains on the ceilings? If yes, it could mean that the roof needs repairs/replacing. Is there any evidence of termites? You may want to call an expert to determine this. As you can see, there is a lot to be aware of in buying a home. Do not “Buy in haste and Regret in leisure”. Given below are 2 examples of the approximate closing costs involved in buying a home which we hope will be helpful. The above costs/fees are estimates only and are likely to vary from case to case. The above information is believed to be correct as of the date of writing. Before you make any decisions however, you are advised to consult with a suitable professional such as an accountant, an attorney, a financial advisor, etc.

  • G.A. Farrell & Associates Ltd | Methodology

    G.A. Farrell & Associates Ltd, a leading firm of Chartered Valuation Surveyors, specialized in the valuation of properties in Trinidad & Tobago. Methodology Appraisal Process In broad terms, valuation theory recognises three distinct methodologies (or approaches) in valuation. These are the market approach (sometimes known as the direct market comparison approach), the income approach, and the cost approach. Market Approach (a.k.a. Direct Market Comparison Approach) “An approach that provides an indication of value by comparing the subject asset with identical or similar assets for which price information is available”. The Market Approach measures the value of an asset by comparing recent sales or offerings of similar or substitute property and related market data. The similar transactions method uses valuation data based on historical transactions that have occurred in the subject asset’s direct or related industries. The derived data are then adjusted and applied to the appropriate operating data of the subject asset to arrive at an indication of value. This Approach is very popular in many assignments as it is reflective of the interplay of buyers and sellers in the open market. In order for this approach to be reliable however, it is necessary for there to be a significant number of sales of properties similar to the one for which the assignment is being carried out. The Income Approach “An approach that provides an indication of value by converting future cash flows to a single current capital value”. The Income Capitalization Approach is based on the principle that the value of a property is indicated by the net return to the property, or what is also known as the present worth of future benefits. The Income Capitalization Approach considers a property’s potential cash flow and analyses the present worth of the anticipated future benefits to the owner over an assumed holding period. The Income Approach is of considerable importance in appraising commercial properties. Most purchasers of this type of property are generally concerned primarily with an income stream, which is what this approach relies on. The disadvantage of this approach is that it is sometimes based on projections of the future. The Cost Approach “An approach that provides an indication of value using the economic principle that a buyer will pay no more for an asset than the cost to obtain an asset of equal utility, whether by purchase or construction”. The Cost Approach is based on the principle of substitution and is valuable in distinctive properties for which there are either very few or no sales of similar properties. Its drawbacks are that it does not sufficiently rely on market preferences, and in cases of older properties, the quantum of depreciation to be charged is not easily identified. This approach to value follows the following steps: Determine the value of the site as if vacant; Calculate the replacement cost new of the improvements; Estimate the depreciation form from all causes (physical, functional and external); Add the site value to the depreciated value of the improvements. As will be seen from the above, all three approaches vary in effectiveness for specific assignments. Although all three approaches may give reliable indications of value on occasions, frequently, one or two may be totally inappropriate. In arriving at an estimate of value of the subject property, all of the above approaches were considered and one or more of them utilized. Definitions Market Value : The estimated amount for which an asset or liability should exchange on the valuation date between a willing buyer and a willing seller in an arm’s length transaction, after proper marketing and where the parties had each acted knowledgeably, prudently and without compulsion. Market Rent: The estimated amount for which a property would be let on the valuation date between a willing lessor and a willing lessee on appropriate lease terms in an arm’s length transaction, after proper marketing and where the parties had each acted knowledgeably, prudently and without compulsion. Replacement Cost : The cost of obtaining an alternative asset of equivalent utility excluding retaining walls, boundary walls and fences, swimming pools and other water features, site clearance, professional fees and VAT. Contributory Value : The contribution made by a particular feature or component to the value of the whole property. Marketable Title : A title not subject to reasonable doubt or suspicion of invalidity in the mind of a reasonable, intelligent person; one which a prudent person guided by competent legal advice would be willing to accept and purchase at a market value. Highest and Best Use : The use of an asset that maximises its productivity and that is possible, legally permissible and financially feasible. IPMS 1: The Floor Area measured to the external extent of the External Walls and to any Notional Boundaries, External Floor Areas or Sheltered Areas. – International Property Measurement Standards: All Buildings dated 15 January 2023. This standard of measurement is similar to the former Gross External Area (GEA).

  • G.A. Farrell & Associates Ltd | Chartered Valuation Surveyors | Trinidad and Tobago

    G.A. Farrell & Associates Ltd, a leading firm of Chartered Valuation Surveyors, specialized in the valuation of properties in Trinidad & Tobago. WELCOME TO G.A. Farrell & Associates Ltd Leading firm of Chartered Valuation Surveyors, specialized in the valuation of properties in Trinidad & Tobago. LEARN MORE Ariapita Avenue, Port of Spain We value the following property types Shopping Malls Hotels Commercial Residential Land Special Purpose VALUATION REQUEST MAKE A REQUEST MAKE A PAYMENT MAKE A PAYMENT METHODOLOGY LEARN MORE With your assistance, G. A. Farrell & Associates Limited provides assistance with funding to charitable Organizations including the following Princess Elizabeth Centre | Tritscher Home for Men | Guardian Neediest Cases Fund | Lady Hochoy Home Society of St. Vincent de Paul | John Hayes Kidney Foundation JOIN OUR MAILING LIST Sign up today to get the latest valuation news. Join Thanks for subscribing!

  • G.A. Farrell & Associates Ltd | FAQs

    G.A. Farrell & Associates Ltd, a leading firm of Chartered Valuation Surveyors, specialized in the valuation of properties in Trinidad & Tobago. FAQs Note: ‘End-user’ refers to the actual person or entity that will be relying on the Valuation Report e.g. a lending institution or statutory body. What are the requirements to make a Valuation Request? For a typical Valuation Request, we require the following documents: A copy of a valid form of Identification (ID, DP or Passport) A copy of Deed / Title document or any Lease(s) A copy of Survey Plan / Cadastral Sheet Please note that additional documents may be required based on the type of property and/or the purpose of valuation. What is the fee for a standard residential valuation request? Our fee is dependent on the value of the property and in most cases, the following fee structure applies: $2,200 for the first $500,000 of the opinion of market value and ¼ of 1% of the excess over $500,000 plus VAT, subject to a minimum fee of $2,200 plus VAT. For example, if a property is valued at $1M, our fee would be $3,450 plus VAT @ 12.5%. Therefore, the total cost would be $3,881.25. Please note that our fees may vary based on the type of property and/or the purpose of valuation. How long is a Valuation Report valid? Typically, a valuation report is valid for six (6) months however, it depends on the requirements of the ‘end-user’ and their informed opinion of the validity of the Valuation Report as time passes. Where are you located? We have five (5) branches located throughout Trinidad & Tobago and they are as follows: #23 Ariapita Avenue, Port of Spain, Trinidad, W.I. #51 Harris Street, San Fernando, Trinidad, W.I. 1st Floor, No. 9, Mulchan Seuchan Road, Chaguanas, Trinidad, W.I. #51-59 Tumpuna Road, Shops of Arima, Inner Mall Shops, Arima, Trinidad, W.I. Unit 5, Tateco Building, Wilson Road, Scarborough, Tobago, W.I. What is the turnaround time for a standard Valuation Request? Upon receipt of all required documents and access, delivery of the final report will take approximately 10 working days (excluding weekends and public holidays). Depending on the property type and location, additional time may be required. Why would I need to have my property valued? You may require a Valuation Report for various reasons, some of which are noted as follows: An opinion of what you should pay if you are purchasing a property Mortgage purposes for a long-term loan To determine a replacement cost of a building for Insurance purposes To finance the Construction of a new building If selling a property, to have an opinion of the sale price for marketing purposes An accurate assessment of the applicable Stamp Duty Tax (e.g. when transferring ownership of a property) A record of Assets for accounting purposes such as in a Balance Sheet Statutory requirements – Probating a will or litigation Are your Reports accepted by ‘end-users’? Yes, we are on the panel of approved service providers to all the major Mortgage Lending Institutions and Statutory Bodies. What are the methods of payment? Payment can be made at our offices (San Fernando, Chaguanas, Port of Spain, Arima or Tobago) via cash, debit card, credit card (also, over the phone or via our website), cheque, online transfer or bank deposit. Do I need to make an appointment before visiting the office? It depends on the purpose of your visit. Generally speaking, no appointment is required to visit our office. Our offices are open Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 4:00pm (GMT-4), excluding Public Holidays. For the purpose of requesting a valuation, you may opt to do this online via our online form here . Can someone (otherwise called an agent) make a valuation request on my behalf, I being the client? Yes, someone can make a valuation request on your behalf however, we require a valid photo ID from you, the Client as well as the Agent. What are the requirements to collect a completed Valuation Report? In order to collect the completed Valuation Report, the outstanding balance on fees must be settled in full. Kindly note if someone (an Agent) is collecting the Valuation Report on your behalf, we require a letter authorising the Agent to collect on the client’s behalf as well as a copy of a valid photo ID for the Agent. Do you value agricultural land? Yes, we value agricultural lands generally once there is a motorable access to the lands and Cadastral Survey Plan is available. As such, all requests will be screened prior to acceptance. Kindly note that we only value the surface rights (i.e. freehold or leasehold interest) and not what is grown in the lands such as crops and timber trees. What are comparables? RICS Valuation – Global Standards December 2024 defines Comparables as “an item of information used during the valuation process as evidence to support the valuation of another, similar item. Comparable evidence comprises a range of relevant data used by the valuer to support a valuation.” The primary source of comparables is Agreements-of-Sale. If I instruct that I need my Valuation Report to come in at a particular figure, can the company facilitate this? It would be unethical to accept such an instruction. Our Valuation Opinion is based on consideration of all relevant factors including the analysis of comparables (defined above). It would go against best practice to report a valuation opinion that does not follow this process. This is supported by the fact that G. A. Farrell & Associates Limited is a RICS-regulated firm with a duty to uphold international standards [RICS – Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors]. When conducting a site visit, does the Valuation Officer need access to all rooms? Yes. Access to all areas of a building allows for a complete visual inspection of the premises which contributes to a realistic and reasonable assessment of the market value of the property. If I commissioned a Valuation Report to determine a price for my property, can a prospective purchaser use this Valuation Report e.g. to secure a mortgage? As per international standards, a Valuation Report can only be done for one specific purpose. As with the example above, a Valuation Report done for the specific purpose of sale, should not be used for mortgage purposes. We recommend that a prospective purchaser secure his / her own Valuation report. I did a valuation of my property previously and I need an updated Valuation Report. Can the date on my initial Valuation Report be changed? The initial Valuation Report would have been done at a specific date. If we changed the date on the Valuation Report to a later date, this means that the same Valuation Report exists at two different dates. This would be unethical and therefore, we cannot simply change the date on a pre-existing Valuation Report. As such, we advise that a new Valuation Report be commissioned. If my property was already valued in the past by G.A. Farrell & Associates Limited, what will it cost to get an updated Valuation Report? In cases where we have done a Valuation Report on the same property within the last three (3) years, and for the same client, a discount of up to 30% of the fee is given, subject to the applicable minimum fee. For properties valued within the last four (4) to six (6) years, and for the same client, a discount of up to 15% of the fee is given, subject to the applicable minimum fee. Do you also prepare Quantity Surveyor’s Reports? Yes, we do prepare Quantity Surveyor’s Reports on structures that have not exceeded its foundation stage of construction. However, please confirm with your lending institution that we are on their panel of approved Quantity Surveyors. If you require both a Proposed Building Valuation and a Quantity Surveyor’s Report, confirm also with your lending institution that they will accept both Reports from our firm. Do you conduct valuations for properties without Town and Country Planning Division (TCPD) approvals? In the absence of TCPD approvals, once reasonable and practical, we can value the property, but our opinion of value would be based on the following assumption: “All relevant approvals have been obtained from the relevant authorities.” How should I choose a valuation firm? It is important that when a valuation report for a specific purpose is required, you ensure that the Valuation Firm selected is approved by the ‘end-user’. Qualified Valuers will be chartered (i.e. have a professional RICS designation, MRICS or FRICS), a RICS-registered Valuer and may also be a full member of the Institute of Surveyors of Trinidad & Tobago (ISTT), as evidenced by the designation, MISTT.

  • G.A. Farrell & Associates Ltd | Make a Payment

    G.A. Farrell & Associates Ltd, a leading firm of Chartered Valuation Surveyors, specialized in the valuation of properties in Trinidad & Tobago. Make A Payment Make a payment for your valuation request. Type of Payment Choose an option Valuation in Name of Reference Number Amount to be paid Address of property to be valued Additional Comments Make Payment

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