[Colin Best], 44, is one of about 2,000 members of the Appraisal Institute of Canada and a specialist in residential and rural valuations.

"Model homes are nice to look at," Best says. "But they usually have thousands of dollars' worth of extras. That can cost you $300 an item or maybe $9,000 if you want hardwood flooring somewhere."

His family has been involved in real estate appraisals, sales and property management since 1957 and today Best, 44, works mainly in Halton, Peel, Hamilton and West Toronto. He has been doing appraising since 1986.