What to Do When Receiving a Low Appraisal on Your Home

houston appraisal

When a Houston property appraiser evaluates a home lower than the buyer is anticipating, it can throw the process of the sale or refinance into chaos. There are some options a buyer has to try to mitigate the damage that can be done when there is a difference between the selling price and the value assessed by a professional appraiser.

5 Tips on How to Handle a Low Appraisal Value

1. Check for Mistakes

Everyone makes mistakes, even the best appraisers in the business. If things seem off and the numbers do not seem to add up, the first step is to comb over the appraiser’s report to see if any mistakes were made. Sellers will need to request a copy of the detailed report, which the lender is obligated to send within 30 days of the request. If an appraiser missed some upgrades or improvements inside or outside the home, it could lead to significant changes in the final totals.

2. Challenge Appraisal with ‘Reconsiderations of Value’

If there are no glaring mistakes, and the appraisal is considerably lower than expected, the valuation can be appealed through the state appeal board or through a process known as Reconsideration of Value. Some common grounds for such an appeal include:
     Poor use of local real estate property comparisons
     Not taking into account concessions or special financing considerations
     Miscalculating living area totals

3. Request New Appraisal

The lender may approve a second appraisal from a more qualified appraiser if they can be shown issues with the initial appraisal. The buyer would generally be responsible for the cost of an additional appraisal.

4. Negotiate with the Buyer

It is up to the homeowner to drop the price to the lowered appraisal valuation or to insist on their initial asking price. They can try to work with the seller to come up with a compromise, like making a larger down payment or covering the cost of private mortgage insurance payments. The success depends on the willingness of each party to compromise and negotiate.

5. Put Home Back on the Market

When all else fails, the seller is under no obligation to continue the negotiation or sales process, and the house can be put back on the market. A good real estate agent will be able to lay out the options at the moment, depending on current local market trends to help make the best decision under the circumstances.

Why Choose Reliable Valuation Service

Whether you are buying, selling, or refinancing your home, Reliable Valuation Service will provide an accurate, unbiased assessment and valuation in the form of a Houston tax appraisal of the property. Trusted professionals perform the kind of home appraisal Houston relies on to help facilitate home sales of all kinds.

Contact Reliable Valuation Service Today

For complete information on the wide range of home appraisal services from the most Houston appraisal company, contact the experts at Reliable Valuation Service today to have all of your questions answered and to book a Houston appraisal from the industry’s best.

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