Understanding Appraisals and What to Do If Your Home Doesn’t Appraise for Its Purchase Price

It can be a bit of a surprise if your home turns out to be valued at less than the purchase price offered, but this is the type of thing that can occur in an appraisal situation. While this can change everything from your contract to the amount of your down payment if your home has been appraised at less than you envisioned, here are some options you may want to consider.

Review The Appraisal Contingency Clause

If an appraisal contingency clause is built into the terms of your contract, this means that the terms of your contract can be re-evaluated and re-negotiated if an appraisal happens to come up short. While this is meant primarily to protect the homebuyer against a lower appraisal, it doesn’t mean that the terms of a new deal can’t be met for the good of both parties.

Get A Second Appraisal

It’s entirely possible that the initial appraisal is accurate, but it doesn’t necessarily hurt to get a second opinion in the event that the first appraisal seems too low. While you can work in conjunction with your lender to get a second appraisal, you may need to pay for it the second time around in order to get your initial purchasing price. Whether it happens to be good news or bad news, it can be worth the peace of mind to know how to proceed.

Consider A Lower Price

It’s less than ideal when your home is appraised for less than the purchase price, but this doesn’t have to be a deal breaker when it comes to selling it. While you may be able to get away with a higher price for your home in a hot real estate market, if things have cooled off, this can be an important time to re-negotiate the deal you’ve got. If a potential buyer likes your home and has already made an offer, they may be happy to decide on new contract terms.

It can be quite disappointing if your home is appraised at a value that is less than the offer you’ve received, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll have to put your home back on the market. Whether you and the potential buyer decide to re-negotiate or get a second opinion, there are options that can be beneficial for both parties. Give me a call with any questions – J.P. Cook – 602-320-4253.

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13588 W Boca Raton Road Surprise, AZ 85379

$545,000

5 Beds

3 Baths

3,042 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6777249

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Spacious 5 bed, 3 full bath home on premium lot! large 3 car garage with epoxy flooring and cabinets with work bench. New quartz counter tops and backsplash. Backyard has nice grass area, huge covered patio, and gated play pool. Outdoor kitchen has grill and sink. Guest bedroom downstairs. Master and 3 other beds upstairs with loft area. Low HOA neighborhood close to schools and walking distance to shopping.

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3532 W Warren Lane Anthem, AZ 85086

$545,000

4 Beds

2.5 Baths

2,140 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6775960

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Beautiful private home in the sought after Del Webb community. New in 2022: A/C, first level luxury vinyl flooring, new carpet on second level, fresh paint throughout, fireplace in family room, granite counters, white cabinets. Oasis backyard has a pebble tech pool with beach entry, desert front & plus synthetic grass rear. Very private yard siding only single story homes and backing one of the largest lots in Anthem. Enjoy all the resort features of this major master planned subdivision. Easy I-17 access.

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19550 N Grayhawk Drive Unit 2055 Scottsdale, AZ 85255

$545,000

2 Beds

2 Baths

1,311 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6780489

Property Type Apartment

Price Type --

Situated within the guard gated Talon Retreat in Grayhawk, this recently updated 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom end unit condo offers an open great room floor plan with McDowell Mountain views from every window. The kitchen has stainless steel GE appliances, granite countertops, subway tile backsplash and wood flooring. The primary and guest bathrooms have also been thoughtfully upgraded, adding to the modern charm of this home. Step out onto one of two balconies and take in the morning sun and beautiful mountain views. An attached garage has direct access inside the unit offering convenience and comfort. Upgrades in the last 5 years include interior paint and countertops throughout, new kitchen appliances, new washer and dryer, new window coverings, new fireplace surround, new wood look tile floors in kitchen, laundry room and bathrooms, new carpet, new baseboards throughout, new plumbing fixtures and lighting fixtures, new water heater, Nest thermostat and NAC water conditioning system. Just steps away from this unit is Cachet's community pool, spa and clubhouse, which includes a fitness room. Enjoy access to Grayhawk's additional amenities including tennis courts, walking paths, Grayhawk Park, and two world class golf courses. The Grayhawk community is located in the heart of North Scottsdale within minutes of the 101 Freeway and endless shopping and dining destinations.

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2510 E Fountain Street Mesa, AZ 85213

New

$545,000

3 Beds

2 Baths

1,855 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6783211

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Beautifully remodeled home w/ no HOA & the added bonus of energy-efficient solar panels, offering both comfort and cost savings. Nestled in a quiet neighborhood on a large lot, it boasts a detached shop w/AC, an extended covered patio, new watering system, & freshly seeded for winter grass. Inside, you'll find an inviting open floor plan adorned with a tastefully renovated interior. The kitchen & bathrooms feature quartz countertops, Bedrosian tile & flooring, custom cabinets & vanities, & designer hardware & fixtures. Enjoy the charming white washed brick fireplace & additional room for a huge pantry, homework room or extra storage space. With easy freeway access & proximity to shopping, dining, & entertainment, this home exudes a lifestyle of convenience & relaxation

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