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

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
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.
A bank, servicer or asset manager sends the address, the type of BPO and a due date.
The broker photographs the home from the street (exterior) or walks it inside (interior) and notes condition and occupancy.
The broker selects recent closed sales and competing listings from the MLS and adjusts them to the subject home.
The report returns with photos, comps and a value, on the client's form or the broker's own.
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.
Compare the decision
Both estimate value. They are built for different jobs.
Written by a licensed broker.
Written by a licensed appraiser.
Fit check
Also called a drive-by. The broker photographs the home from the street and prices from comps. Fastest and cheapest.
The broker walks the home, checks condition and repairs, and prices as-is. More accurate when condition matters.
Our Smart Pricing Report™ gives three values: as-is, 30-day quick-sale and recommended list price.
A full repair estimate with bids shows what the home brings as-is and repaired.
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.
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.
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.
BPO stands for broker price opinion. Some people write broker's price opinion or broker opinion of value.
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.
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.
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.
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.
An exterior BPO is a drive-by. The broker photographs the home from the street and prices it from comparable sales without going inside.
An interior BPO includes a walkthrough of the inside, with photos, condition notes and repair estimates. It costs more and takes about 72 hours.
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.
The industry range is one to four days. Our exterior BPOs return in 24 hours and interior BPOs in 72 hours.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Let the broker in, point out repairs and upgrades, and share your list of improvements. An accurate condition report protects your value.
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.
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.
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.
Exterior BPOs back in 24 hours. Smart Pricing Report™ with three values on every order. Call or text 720-704-4228.