Appraisal problems? Here are your options

The appraisal is an important
part of the home buying process. But what happens if an appraisal comes up short of the
agreed-upon selling price?
Here’s an example: A home is listed for sale at $350,000. It’s a multiple bidding situation, so
you offer a higher price of $370,000 to gain an edge over other buyers. Your offer is
accepted by the seller. However, your lender’s appraisal comes back and it shows the value
of the home is only $350,000. That means the lender is only going to provide you with a
loan based on that value.
All lenders order an appraisal during the home loan process as a way to assess the home’s
market value and ensure that the amount of money requested by the borrower is
appropriate. It’s designed to be an independent and unbiased estimate of a home’s value.
When an appraisal comes in lower than expected, home buyers have a few choices. If
you really want the home and have the cash on hand, you could make up the
difference with a larger downpayment. You also could try to negotiate a lower selling

price. The seller doesn’t have to lower the selling price, of course, and will understandably
be reluctant to do so. In some cases, the buyer and seller each give a little.
Another option is to see if it’s possible to order a second independent appraisal or to appeal
the existing appraisal. Your lender can let you know if there’s any type of appraisal review
process. You and your real estate agent will have to analyze the appraisal to make sure the
appraiser included all relevant comparable sales on the report
Lastly, if you have an appraisal contingency in your offer, you have the option of walking
away from the home purchase. It’s a last-ditch option if all other efforts fail.

* Specific loan program availability and requirements may vary. Please get in touch with your mortgage advisor for more information.