A Guide to Sirva-Managed Relocation Appraisals Across Vancouver Island

Receiving a new posting brings many responsibilities, from preparing your current home for sale and organizing the move to finding a new home and helping your family transition. Amidst all these tasks, arranging a home appraisal is a vital step, especially if your relocation is managed by Sirva (formerly BGRS). For Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel and RCMP officers under their federal relocation programs, often referred to as the Integrated Relocation Program (IRP), this appraisal determines the Fair Market Value (FMV) of your primary residence, which directly impacts your eligibility for various relocation benefits.

Fritz Appraisals provides relocation appraisals for CAF and RCMP members across Vancouver Island, from Victoria to Nanaimo.

Key Takeaways

Fair Market Value (FMV) – Your relocation appraisal establishes the FMV of your home, which determines your eligibility for CAF and RCMP relocation benefits.
AIC-Credentialed Appraisers – All appraisals are completed by members in good standing with the Appraisal Institute of Canada (AIC).
Vancouver Island Coverage – D. Fritz Appraisals serves CAF and RCMP families relocating across Vancouver Island, from Victoria to Nanaimo and the Gulf Islands.
Different Billing For CAF And RCMP – CAF members typically have appraisal fees billed directly to Sirva, while RCMP members generally pay upfront and file for reimbursement.
Personal Experience – Our team includes an RCMP family member and a CAF spouse, so we understand the relocation process firsthand.

The Role of a Professional Appraisal

An appraisal does more than just estimate a potential sale price; it delivers an objective, independent valuation based on recent market trends, local sales, and your property’s specific traits. This ensures your relocation benefits are calculated using a reliable and well-supported figure.

The appraised value can be critical for establishing:

Home Equity Assistance under your relocation program’s guidelines
Specific relocation incentives
Reimbursement for qualifying selling costs
Key decisions throughout your relocation file

Understanding the Appraisal Process

When managing your relocation, you select and schedule with your chosen appraisal provider. As an approved vendor, D. Fritz Appraisals serves clients across Vancouver Island at Sirva’s pre-negotiated rate, ensuring a fair and consistent fee for every appraisal.

For CAF Members: We handle the paperwork by sending the completed appraisal report and invoice directly to Sirva. Eligible primary residence appraisal fees are directly billed and covered through the program, subject to approval.

For RCMP Officers: Members pay for the appraisal at the time of service and apply for reimbursement through their relocation benefits.

Appraisals for rental properties, future purchases, or non-primary residences might not be covered, depending on your approved benefits. We recommend contacting Sirva to verify your coverage before booking. Once complete, we will share a copy of the report with you and directly submit the required documents to Sirva for CAF files.

CAF members can review their entitlements in the full Canadian Armed Forces relocation directive, and RCMP members can find complete details in the RCMP Relocation Directive.

While relocation files have unique program requirements, preparing for them is no different than any other appraisal. A few proactive measures, such as reviewing the inspection checklist or compiling a list of recent property upgrades, can help guarantee a smooth process. For more details, explore our complete guide: Pre-Appraisal Checklist for Homeowners.

You can also browse our full range of appraisal services for Vancouver Island homeowners.

Key Valuation Factors

Every property and local real estate market is distinct. To deliver an accurate, impartial valuation that meets relocation program standards, we analyze:

Location and neighbourhood dynamics
The home’s overall condition and quality
Recent upgrades, renovations, and improvements
Size, functional layout, and overall utility
Comparable recent sales data
Market trends and conditions
Local buyer demand

A Dedicated Team with Personal Experience

Our experience extends beyond professional appraisal services; we also understand the experience on a personal level.

Company owner, Bo Lott, grew up in an RCMP family and experienced the challenges of frequent moves firsthand, from switching schools to leaving friends. He brings this understanding to D. Fritz Appraisals, personally reviewing each relocation report to ensure it meets our strict quality standards.

Our Office Manager, Chelsea, is currently navigating military life as the spouse of an active Canadian Armed Forces member. Having experienced multiple moves, she is deeply familiar with the scheduling, timelines, and paperwork involved in relocations, managing coordination and administration to keep files moving seamlessly.

Our team’s background shapes how we operate. When Chelsea’s family relocated outside of British Columbia, we transitioned to a flexible remote work model that allowed her to continue supporting our clients from wherever military life takes her family. It is one more way we put people first, whether that means supporting our own team or the military, RCMP, and government families we are proud to serve every day.

Learn more from an AIC Designated Appraiser

An appraisal is just one step in your relocation journey, but it is an essential one. D. Fritz Appraisals is honoured to assist Canadian Armed Forces members, RCMP officers, and government personnel across Southern and Central Vancouver Island. Whether it is your first move or your last, you can count on our team for responsive communication, honest guidance, and firsthand expertise in the relocation process because we have lived it ourselves.

If you are preparing for a CAF or RCMP relocation appraisal anywhere from Victoria to the Comox Valley, the team at D. Fritz Appraisals is ready to help. Call us at 250-413-7319 or visit our contact page to book your appraisal today.