05/01/2026
Think about it like this.
You wouldn’t compare a fully remodeled home to a fixer and say they’re the same… just because they both have a roof and four walls.
But that’s basically what can happen in an appraisal if you’re not paying attention.
You’ve got a buyer under contract on a clean investor flip. Everything is new, modern, turnkey. Then the appraisal comes in low and everyone is wondering what happened.
Here’s one place to look.
Appraisers use comparable sales, but those comps need adjustments. If your subject property is clearly superior in condition, those inferior comps should be adjusted up. That’s not extra. That’s the job.
The issue is sometimes condition gets treated like it’s all the same. A dated home, a lightly updated home, and a full remodel all get grouped together as “similar.”
That’s like comparing a brand new car to one with 150k miles and saying they both drive, so close enough.
The real story is in the MLS photos and remarks. That’s where you see the level of renovation, the quality, the details. If that isn’t fully analyzed, the adjustments can come in light or not at all.
And that can pull your value down.
If you get a low appraisal, this is something you can challenge through an ROV. Go back to the comps. Look at the photos side by side. Ask if those homes really match your property in condition.
Not every appraisal misses this, but it happens more than it should.
Bottom line, if your house is clearly better, the numbers should reflect it. If they don’t, that’s where you start asking questions.
