How do you fight an unfair appraisal?

Asked by: Alexys Sauer  |  Last update: January 24, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (47 votes)

If the lender won't reconsider or you think you received an unfair home appraisal, there are places to turn to for help. You can file a complaint with your state appraisal board, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

How do you respond to an unfair appraisal?

If you review the assessment objectively and feel it is off-base, write a rebuttal or provide comments on your performance appraisal. State clearly why you disagree with the evaluation. A rebuttal aims to add a permanent record to your current review.

What to do if you disagree with an appraisal?

What you can do is appeal the appraisal, submit your comps that you feel are more representative of your property and see if the lender will request a reconsideration of value.

How do you fight a low appraisal and win?

How Do You Negotiate With A Seller After A Low Appraisal?
  1. Dispute The Appraisal. You can dispute the appraisal by submitting a reconsideration of value (ROV). ...
  2. Get A Second Appraisal. ...
  3. Ask The Seller To Lower The Price. ...
  4. Ask For Seller Concessions. ...
  5. Increase Your Down Payment. ...
  6. Find A New Lender. ...
  7. Be Willing To Walk Away.

Can you sue an appraiser for a bad appraisal?

An appraisal is a professional opinion. As such, you can't sue someone for an appraisal and win, even if it is ``low,'' unless the opinion clearly violated professional standards.

Brandon Smith - The best way to handle a bad performance review

24 related questions found

Can you challenge a real estate appraisal?

If the lender won't reconsider or you think you received an unfair home appraisal, there are places to turn to for help. You can file a complaint with your state appraisal board, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

What not to say to an appraiser?

In his post, he lists 10 things as a Realtor (or even homeowner), you should avoid saying to the appraiser:
  • I'll be happy as long as it appraises for at least the sales price.
  • Do your best to get the value as high as possible.
  • The market has been “on fire”. ...
  • Is it going to come in at “value”?

How do I disagree with my appraisal?

How to Disagree With Your Negative Performance Review
  1. Wait before responding. ...
  2. Ask questions and acknowledge your manager's point of view. ...
  3. Develop a well-supported response. ...
  4. Be respectful and polite. ...
  5. Outline the steps you will take to receive a positive feedback in the future. ...
  6. Set-up a timeline for the next review.

Who has the right to appeal an appraisal?

Either the buyer or the seller can challenge an appraisal or request a second appraisal.

Can a seller back out if an appraisal is low?

A sales contract with a kick-out clause allows you to continue marketing and showing the property. If by the kick-out clause date you find another buyer willing to pay the sales price despite the lower appraised value, you can 'kick out' the original buyer and accept the new offer.

What is unfair appraisal?

Some of the factors that make a performance appraisal unfair are personal biases, comparing employees, changing standards, limited feedback, and a lack of training. Performance appraisals can have a detrimental effect on employees if unfairly conducted.

What if appraisal is less than offer?

Appraisal is lower than the offer: If the home appraises for less than the agreed-upon sale price, the lender won't approve the loan. In this situation, buyers and sellers need to come to a mutually beneficial solution that will hold the deal together — more on that later.

What to do if you disagree with a valuation?

Down valuations: 6 things to do if it happens to you
  1. Negotiating after down valuation.
  2. Challenge down valuations.
  3. Choose a different mortgage.
  4. Try a different lender.
  5. Make up the shortfall.
  6. Pull out of the transaction.

How to professionally say this is unfair?

Synonyms and examples
  1. unjust. They protested unjust laws.
  2. biased. The newspaper gave a very biased report of the meeting.
  3. slanted. disapproving. ...
  4. discriminatory. The company has a zero-tolerance policy toward discriminatory practices.
  5. prejudiced. ...
  6. inequitable.

How do you rebuttal an appraisal?

How to Dispute a Low Home Appraisal
  1. Request a Copy of the Appraisal Report – Check the Details. ...
  2. Contact Your Lender and Request a Value Appeal. ...
  3. Provide Updated Comps. ...
  4. Check on Permits, Upgrades, Improvements. ...
  5. Appraiser Who Doesn't Know the Area. ...
  6. Get a Second Opinion.

How to appeal a performance appraisal?

The appeal must include: a. A written memo stating the employee's intent to appeal and listing the specific parts of the appraisal with which the employee disagrees and explaining the nature and extent of the disagreement; b. Copy of the performance appraisal with the employee's comments; and c.

What if I don't agree with my home appraisal?

Provide your lender with a written description of the problem with the appraisal or evaluation and provide any evidence you may have.

How long do appraisal appeals take?

The concerns from the appeal will then be sent to the appraiser to make adjustments, if applicable. It can sometimes take up to two weeks before we hear the results of the appeal, so keep in mind that if you do decide to submit an appeal, it could delay your closing.

What is appraisal discrimination?

Appraisal bias is discrimination in the appraisal process, such as assigning a lower value to a home because of the race or ethnicity of the person who lives there. A home appraisal is the process through which a real estate appraiser determines the fair market value of a home.

How to respond to a bad appraisal?

Here are eight steps for composing a professional letter in response to a poor performance evaluation:
  1. Wait to write the response. ...
  2. Use a business format. ...
  3. Offer an apology. ...
  4. Keep your explanation brief. ...
  5. Be courteous if you disagree. ...
  6. Discuss your plans for the future. ...
  7. Edit and proofread. ...
  8. Attach additional documentation.

What not to say to appraisal?

Telling an appraiser that you think the house is worth more can backfire. It may make the appraiser suspicious of your motives. Appraisers are trained professionals who use market data to determine a home's value. They don't base their assessment on what the homeowner thinks.

What happens if an appraisal is wrong?

If the appraisal is too high or too low compared to the agreed-upon selling price, a bank or lender may renege on the loan. Property value appraisals are also used for tax purposes to estimate the amount of property taxes the owner must pay.

How do I challenge a high appraisal on my house?

Contact Your Lender to Dispute the Appraisal

Be prepared to support your contention by pointing out errors, omissions or other evidence indicating the appraisal should be reconsidered. The ROV allows you to request further details or explanations for the appraiser's valuation.

Do appraisers look under sinks?

Appraisers do look in closets to determine the total square footage of the property. This doesn't mean every single inch of your house has to be in tip-top shape for the appraisal, but the interior of the home should be clean and free of clutter, and this includes closets, under sinks, and in the attic.

What adds the most value to a home appraisal?

The quality and condition of interior features — such as flooring, walls, windows, doors, appliances, countertops, fixtures, and plumbing — greatly affect your home's appraised value.