BRAVE: Banking Real-Estate-Appraisal Valuation Exchange

What is BRAVE?

BRAVE is the industry standard for exchanging commercial appraisal data between appraisers and banks. It's a standardized, 99-field dataset delivered alongside your appraisal report, giving banks the structured data they need without manual rekeying, and giving appraisers one universal format that works with every client.

Think of it as a modern data export that eliminates the friction of custom templates, data requests, and manual data entry that has plagued our industry for decades.

Why BRAVE Matters

For Banks

Eliminate Wasted Time

Your review teams currently spend 30-60 minutes per appraisal manually extracting data from PDFs. With BRAVE, that data imports automatically in seconds. A typical mid-sized bank saves 300+ hours and $25K-$50K annually.

Improve Accuracy

100% data accuracy with zero rekeying errors. Instant change detection when appraisers send revisions, you'll know exactly what changed. Automated validation catches errors before your team even opens the file.

Enable Analytics

Finally unlock the portfolio analytics, dashboards, and AI tools you've wanted for years. BRAVE gives you clean, structured data ready for automation, trend analysis, and better risk management.

Industry Momentum

Bank OZK is requiring BRAVE starting March 15, 2026. Multiple other banks are following. Over 300 appraisal firms are already delivering BRAVE files. This is becoming the standard whether you adopt early or late; early movers gain competitive advantage.

For Appraisers

One Standard, Every Bank

Stop maintaining 10+ different bank templates. BRAVE is one format that every bank accepts. Export once, deliver everywhere.

Save Hours Per Appraisal

Most firms report saving 3+ hours per appraisal on data delivery and formatting. That's time you can spend on revenue-generating work instead of administrative overhead.

Competitive Advantage

Banks requiring BRAVE will prioritize firms that can deliver it. Early adopters are positioning themselves as preferred vendors and winning more panel assignments.

Simple Implementation

If you're a Valcre customer, BRAVE export is built into your Solutions Worksheet, one button click.

What to Expect

The BRAVE Package

Every BRAVE-enabled appraisal includes three deliverables:

Appraisal Report (PDF) - Your standard narrative report
BRAVE Data File - 99 standardized fields in Excel format
For Banks: Valcre Bank Trial - Store your BRAVE data free of charge with a view only database in Valcre. You can choose to upgrade at any time to get even more Valcre benefits.

The 99 Fields

BRAVE includes the data you're already producing in every appraisal, organized into six categories:

Property Identification - Address, type, subtype, parcel ID
Appraisal Details - Report date, file number, intended use
Value Conclusions - As-is, prospective upon completion, prospective stabilized
Appraiser Information - Names, licenses, firm details
Property Metrics - Size, age, condition, occupancy
Income Approach - GPI, vacancy, expenses, NOI, cap rate, DCR

No new data required. BRAVE doesn't ask you to produce anything you're not already including in your reports. It just asks for it in a consistent, structured format.

Using the Validator

For Appraisers:

Complete your appraisal as usual
Export your BRAVE file (one-click for Valcre users, template export for others)
1. Optional: Upload to the free validator tool. Valcre's BRAVE sheet already catches errors, but the validator tool can provide an additional option if you would like to leverage it.
Review results: green means you're good to send, red highlights any issues
Fix any errors and re-validate
Deliver the validated BRAVE file alongside your PDF report

For Banks:

Receive BRAVE file from appraiser
Validate the file before accepting (optional but recommended)
Import data automatically into your systems
Review appraisal with all key fields instantly accessible

Validation takes 10 seconds. Results show exactly which fields passed and which need attention.

Getting Started

Appraisers

BRAVE export is already built into your Solutions Worksheet. Select Export BRAVE, Validate, and you're done.

Banks

Start Requesting BRAVE:

Add one sentence to your engagement letters: "Please deliver appraisal reports with accompanying BRAVE data file."

Configure Import:

Work with your data team to set up automated imports or use the Valcre Bank Trial Database for free to store all your data, no data set up required.

Implementation support should you choose to upgrade to the full Valcre experience

Questions? Contact us: support@Valcre.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does BRAVE cost anything?	A: If you are already appraising using Valcre, you have the BRAVE sheet included in your workbook, making you BRAVE compliant and ready from Day 1. Banks looking to store data can access the Valcre Bank Trial database free of charge. Valcre offers paid solutions for advanced features like a full Valuation Workbook, Report, Datasheets, Job and Property Database, Market Insights and API access.
Q: Do I need special software?	A: No. The BRAVE export is built in for all Valcre customers with Professional or Enterprise subscriptions.
Q: What if I make a mistake in my BRAVE file?	A: The BRAVE sheet in your workbook will catch errors instantly and tell you exactly what needs to be fixed.
Q: What property types does BRAVE support?	A: BRAVE in Valcre currently covers standard commercial types (office, retail, industrial, multifamily, hospitality). Mixed-use, agricultural, and other complex scenarios will be added over time.
Q: Is this vendor lock-in?	A: No. BRAVE is an open industry standard, any vendor or self developed tool can provide BRAVE exports to their clients.
Q: What about data privacy?	A: BRAVE files contain the same data already in your appraisal reports, nothing new or sensitive. Banks and appraisers handle BRAVE data with the same security and privacy standards as PDF reports.

Additional Questions? Valcre Support is ready to help with all your Valcre product questions! You can connect to us via phone, email, or chat!