05/31/2026
It's one of the most stressful moments in the home buying or selling process — and it happens more than people expect. The appraisal comes in lower than the agreed upon purchase price, and suddenly everyone is wondering what happens next.
Here's the thing — a low appraisal doesn't automatically mean the deal is dead. You actually have a few options.
The seller can lower the price. If they want the deal to close, meeting the appraised value is the most straightforward path forward.
The buyer can make up the difference. If you love the home and have the cash, you can pay the gap between the appraised value and the purchase price out of pocket.
You can negotiate somewhere in the middle. Split the difference, renegotiate terms, or find a creative solution that works for both sides.
You can challenge the appraisal. If there's strong evidence the appraiser missed something — recent comparable sales, unique features, errors in the report — your agent can request a reconsideration of value.
A low appraisal is a speed bump, not a dead end. The right agent knows exactly how to navigate it — and will have a plan before you even need one.
📸