06/10/2026
READ THIS IF YOU’RE THINKING OF SELLING!!!
I’ve had 4 homes go under contract in the last few days, and while I know not everyone cares to see another “under contract” post, I do want to share something useful that I’m seeing a lot more of right now.
Appraisals have been tougher lately.
Not just on value, but also on repair/work order items.
A lot of agents I’ve talked to recently are seeing homes come in under contract price, or seeing appraisers call out more repairs than expected. Things like peeling paint, roof concerns, missing handrails, safety issues, electrical concerns, plumbing issues, moisture, deferred maintenance, etc.
And from what I’m seeing, this is probably not going away.
The appraisal industry is moving toward more detailed reporting, especially with new appraisal reporting changes rolling out this year and becoming mandatory later in 2026 for many conventional loans. That means condition, updates, repairs, and marketability are going to be looked at very closely.
So what does that mean if you’re selling?
It means pricing matters.
Condition matters.
Documentation matters.
And the little repairs you keep putting off may matter more than you think.
If your home has obvious safety issues, deferred maintenance, peeling paint, roof problems, missing railings, plumbing/electrical concerns, or anything that could affect safety or structure, it is better to talk about those things before you list instead of being surprised halfway through the deal.
And for buyers, just because you are approved does not mean the house automatically passes for the loan. The appraisal still has to support the value, and depending on the loan type, the property may also have to meet certain condition standards.
The market is still moving. Buyers are still buying. Homes are still going under contract.
But right now, clean, well-prepared, correctly priced homes are the ones having the smoother deals.
That’s the part people need to know.
