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What Is a Broker Price Opinion (BPO)? Uses, Cost and Who Orders One

Brian Lee BurkeBrian Lee Burke
Oct 7, 2026 • 6 min read
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What Is a Broker Price Opinion (BPO)? Uses, Cost and Who Orders One

What is a broker price opinion (BPO)?

A broker price opinion (BPO) is a licensed real estate broker's written estimate of what a property will sell for. Banks, servicers, credit unions and asset managers order BPOs to price REO homes, review short sales, handle loan modifications and check the value of a loan's collateral. A BPO uses recent comparable sales, the condition of the home and the local market, and it costs far less and arrives faster than an appraisal. It is not an appraisal. Need one in Colorado? Order a Denver BPO with a 24-hour exterior turn, or read on for what a BPO is, who orders one and why.

The short answer

What does BPO stand for in real estate?

BPO stands for broker price opinion. A licensed broker visits or reviews a property, compares it to recent sales and writes down an opinion of its value. Lenders and asset managers use it to make fast decisions on defaulted loans and bank-owned homes. It cannot be used to get a mortgage.

How a BPO works, step by step

Step 1

1. An order arrives

A bank, servicer or asset manager sends the address, the type of BPO and a due date.

Step 2

2. The broker inspects

The broker photographs the home from the street (exterior) or walks it inside (interior) and notes condition and occupancy.

Step 3

3. Comps are pulled

The broker selects recent closed sales and competing listings from the MLS and adjusts them to the subject home.

Step 4

4. The opinion is delivered

The report returns with photos, comps and a value, on the client's form or the broker's own.

Who orders a BPO?

  • Banks and credit unions order BPOs on delinquent loans, loan modifications and bank-owned homes.
  • Loan servicers use them to decide between a modification, a short sale and foreclosure.
  • Asset management companies (the firms that sell bank-owned homes for lenders) order a BPO before they price and list a home.
  • Investors and mortgage insurers order them to value a portfolio or check collateral.
  • Attorneys, estates and families order them for probate, divorce and settlements when a full appraisal is not needed.
  • Home sellers ask an agent for a BPO-style price opinion before listing. See what your home is worth.

What are BPOs used for?

Complimentary BPOs for homeowners: find your value before you decide

Facing foreclosure, thinking about a short sale, or just want to know what your home is worth? The Kenna Real Estate Group offers a complimentary broker price opinion to Colorado homeowners. A licensed broker reviews your home against recent sales and sends you a written value. No cost and no obligation. Call or text 303-955-4220 or use the form below.

A BPO is not an appraisal and cannot be used to obtain financing.

Request your complimentary BPO

Describe Your Property

By proceeding, you consent to receive calls, texts and voicemails at the number you provided (may be recorded and may be autodialed and use prerecorded and artificial voices), and email, from The Kenna Real Estate Group about your inquiry and other home-related matters. Msg/data rates may apply. This consent applies even if you are on a do not call list and is not a condition of any purchase.

Compare the decision

BPO vs. appraisal

Both estimate value. They are built for different jobs.

Broker price opinion

Fast and low cost

Written by a licensed broker.

  • Back in 24 hours to 4 days
  • About $50 to $150 for lenders, $150 to $450 direct
  • Not for getting a mortgage
Appraisal

Required for lending

Written by a licensed appraiser.

  • One to two weeks or more
  • About $350 to $500
  • Required to originate a mortgage

Fit check

Exterior, interior and Smart Pricing Report

Exterior BPO

Also called a drive-by. The broker photographs the home from the street and prices from comps. Fastest and cheapest.

Interior BPO

The broker walks the home, checks condition and repairs, and prices as-is. More accurate when condition matters.

Three-value report

Our Smart Pricing Report™ gives three values: as-is, 30-day quick-sale and recommended list price.

Repair analysis

A full repair estimate with bids shows what the home brings as-is and repaired.

Can a BPO be used to get a mortgage in Colorado?

No. Colorado law bars a broker from preparing a BPO or market analysis to obtain financing, and the Colorado Real Estate Commission requires this notice on every BPO prepared for a reason other than a sale or purchase: "This evaluation was prepared by a licensed real estate broker and is not an appraisal. This evaluation cannot be used for the purposes of obtaining financing." Federal law adds a second limit: a BPO cannot be the primary basis for valuing a consumer's principal home when a mortgage is originated. Lenders still order a licensed appraisal to make a new loan.

Examples: what a BPO looks like

Here is a sample BPO and Smart Pricing Report™ for a fictional property: three values, six adjusted comps, dated photos, charts, a repair analysis with bids and the Colorado certification. View or download the full sample BPO (PDF). Tap any page to open it full size.

Sample BPO page one: three values and six adjusted comparables

Sample BPO page two: dated photos, repair summary, market conditions and certification

Sample BPO page three: charts that back the value

Sample BPO page four: repair analysis, bids and value impact

Foreclosure and bank-owned homes in Colorado

3 Properties Found
Sort By:

Foreclosure and bank-owned homes in Colorado Market Stats

3
Homes Listed
14
Avg. Days on Site
$304
Avg. $ / Sq.Ft.
$359,967
Med. List Price

Broker price opinion FAQs

What is the definition of a broker price opinion?

A broker price opinion is a licensed real estate broker's written opinion of a property's likely sale price, based on recent comparable sales, condition and market conditions. It is not an appraisal.

What does BPO stand for?

BPO stands for broker price opinion. Some people write broker's price opinion or broker opinion of value.

Who orders a BPO?

Banks, credit unions, loan servicers, asset management companies, investors, mortgage insurers, attorneys and estates order BPOs. Home sellers also ask agents for a price opinion before listing.

Why do banks order a BPO?

A BPO tells a bank what a home is worth right now so it can price a bank-owned home, approve or deny a short sale, decide on a loan modification or review collateral.

What is the difference between a BPO and an appraisal?

A BPO comes from a licensed broker, costs less and returns faster. An appraisal comes from a licensed appraiser and is required to originate a mortgage.

What is the difference between a BPO and a CMA?

A CMA is a market analysis an agent prepares for a seller or buyer. A BPO uses the same comparable-sales method but is prepared for a lender or asset manager, on their form, with photos and a condition report.

What is an exterior BPO?

An exterior BPO is a drive-by. The broker photographs the home from the street and prices it from comparable sales without going inside.

What is an interior BPO?

An interior BPO includes a walkthrough of the inside, with photos, condition notes and repair estimates. It costs more and takes about 72 hours.

How much does a BPO cost?

Lenders and asset managers pay brokers about $50 to $150 per BPO. A direct order from a credit union, attorney or estate runs about $150 to $450 depending on the property.

How long does a BPO take?

The industry range is one to four days. Our exterior BPOs return in 24 hours and interior BPOs in 72 hours.

How long is a BPO good for?

Most servicers treat a BPO as current for about 90 days. The value is effective on the report date and changes as the market moves.

How accurate is a BPO?

Clients judge a BPO by how close the opinion lands to the final sale price. Accuracy depends on good comps, clear photos, correct condition notes and local knowledge.

Who can do a BPO in Colorado?

A licensed Colorado real estate broker can prepare a BPO. Asset managers also check E&O insurance, a W-9 and turn-time history before they assign orders.

Can a homeowner order a BPO?

Yes. Homeowners, estates and attorneys can order one directly for a sale, a short sale, probate or a divorce. A broker price opinion is not valid for a mortgage application.

What should I do if my bank orders a BPO on my house?

Let the broker in, point out repairs and upgrades, and share your list of improvements. An accurate condition report protects your value.

Do BPOs affect short sales?

Yes. The servicer compares the BPO value to the buyer's offer before it approves a price below the loan balance. A strong BPO with good comps speeds approval.

Can I order a BPO from the Kenna Real Estate Group?

Yes. Use the order form on our Denver BPO page. Exterior BPOs return in 24 hours, residential and commercial, and every order includes a Smart Pricing Report™ with three values.

Order a BPO in Colorado

Banks, servicers, credit unions and asset managers can place orders on our Denver BPO order page or our Northern Colorado BPO page, and see how we run asset disposition for Colorado banks. Our turn time is 24 hours on exterior BPOs and 72 hours on interior BPOs. You set the fee, and we accept your fee schedule.

Related reading

Order a Denver BPO

Exterior BPOs back in 24 hours. Smart Pricing Report™ with three values on every order. Call or text 720-704-4228.

WRITTEN BY
Brian Lee Burke
Brian Lee Burke
Team Leader and Licensed Broker, REALTOR® since 2002, Author

Brian Lee Burke is the founder and team leader of Kenna Real Estate Group, a real estate team at Keller Williams DTC. A licensed REALTOR® since 2002, Brian helps Colorado buyers and sellers navigate residential real estate, new construction, pricing, and negotiation. He is also the author of The Real Estate Playbook and Mastering Real Estate: Your Guide to Becoming a Top Agent.

View Brian Lee Burke’s full profile.

WRITTEN BY
Brian Lee Burke
Brian Lee Burke
Team Leader and Licensed Broker, REALTOR® since 2002, Author

Brian Lee Burke is the founder and team leader of Kenna Real Estate Group, a real estate team at Keller Williams DTC. A licensed REALTOR® since 2002, Brian helps Colorado buyers and sellers navigate residential real estate, new construction, pricing, and negotiation. He is also the author of The Real Estate Playbook and Mastering Real Estate: Your Guide to Becoming a Top Agent.

View Brian Lee Burke’s full profile.