What happens if valuation is lower?

Asked by: Gretchen Mitchell  |  Last update: May 27, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (8 votes)

Down-valuations can result in a failed sale. If your buyer's mortgage provider values your property at a lower price than the accepted offer, it will affect the amount of money they are willing to lend.

What if the valuation is less than the offer?

If you receive a down valuation, there are a number of things that you can do: Negotiate with the seller. If you are happy to go ahead with the purchase irrespective of the surveyor's suggested price, you may be able to negotiate with the seller to reduce the price of the property. Challenge the valuation.

What does lower valuation mean?

A down valuation occurs when a property is valued by a surveyor at a lower price than the agreed sale price. In simpler terms, it means the property is deemed to be worth less than what the buyer has offered or what the seller perceives its value to be.

Can a mortgage be declined after valuation?

Can a mortgage be declined after the valuation fee has been paid? Yes, and you can risk losing the fee you paid if your mortgage application breaks down at this stage. The best way to safeguard yourself is to speak to a mortgage broker, as they can significantly improve your approval chances.

What happens if the valuation is higher than the purchase price?

When the valuation figure is higher than agreed sale price, the transaction will still go through at the agreed sale price if the buyer chooses to exercise the Option to Purchase. The idea is the moment seller issues OTP at agreed price, they are obliged to sell at that price.

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43 related questions found

What if appraised value is lower than purchase price?

If your appraised value is lower than the agreed upon sales price, you'll have to make up the difference in cash, or cancel the deal.

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.

Is valuation the last stage of underwriting?

While the property valuation report is separate from the underwriting itself, a review of it will form part of the underwriter's decision-making process.

Will lenders give more than appraised value?

If the appraisal comes back low, it can delay or hinder your ability to move forward with the transaction. This is because mortgage lenders won't lend more money than the appraised value, forcing the buyer to take action of some kind.

Is the mortgage valuation the last step?

The mortgage process timeline involves three stages - decision in principle, valuation and offer. Your application can be withdrawn at any stage if your circumstances change for any reason.

Is valuation the same as price?

While price is a fixed number representing the transaction amount, value is a multifaceted concept that encompasses the business's fundamentals and future potential. By considering both price and value, investors and business owners alike can make decisions that maximize returns and achieve strategic goals.

What does low valued mean?

to value below the real worth; put too low a value on. Synonyms: depreciate, underestimate, underrate. to diminish in value; make of less value. to have insufficient regard or esteem for; hold too low an opinion of.

Does a higher discount rate mean a lower valuation?

A lower discount rate leads to a higher present value. As this implies, when the discount rate is higher, money in the future will be worth less than it is today—meaning it will have less purchasing power.

What happens if seller won't lower price after appraisal?

An appraisal contingency may allow a buyer to walk away from a purchase if they're not happy with the appraisal. After that, the buyer can look for another home, and the seller can relist the property on the market. Your real estate agent should be especially helpful in determining whether walking away is best for you.

Why is my house value going down?

Neighborhood Factors Can Bring Down Property Values

If your neighborhood looks unkempt, if it's noisy, if there are foreclosures, or if there are things like power lines, low-income housing, and gun ranges nearby, these could drop the value of your home.

Do sellers ever accept lower offers?

A low offer may be upsetting to the sellers, but if you and your real estate agent present the offer along with an expression of your appreciation for the property, it's more likely to be accepted than a low offer accompanied by a half-complete contract or an insult about the property's condition.

What if appraisal is lower 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.

Do appraisals usually come in at asking price?

In the world of property purchases, it's pretty standard for the sales price listed on the contract to be on par with the appraised value. This makes sense, as the agreed price usually mirrors the going rates in the current market.

Can a seller ask for more after an appraisal?

Can the seller back out of a high appraisal sale? Can the seller back out if your appraisal is high? Realistically, the answer is “no.” For one, they accepted your offer and would be breaching the sales contract if they wanted to put the house back on the market to capture a higher price.

How long to get a mortgage offer after valuation?

When the valuation has been completed this will usually lead to the mortgage offer which can take around one week (but can vary based on individual circumstances). Once you have a mortgage offer you can proceed with the purchase of your property.

How close to closing is underwriting?

The mortgage underwriting process can take up to 60 days. The standard turnaround time to take a mortgage purchase loan from contract to funding usually takes 30 to 45 days, but most lenders will work to have the mortgage underwritten within 30 days to meet the agreed upon closing date set in the purchase contract.

Is the appraisal the last thing before closing?

When you're buying a home and are under contract, the appraisal will be one of the first steps in the closing process. If the appraisal comes in at or above the contract price, the transaction proceeds as planned. If the appraisal comes in below the contract price, it can delay or derail the transaction.

What happens if valuation is higher than offer?

What Happens if the Property Valuation is Higher Than My Offer? While less common, a higher-than-expected property valuation can work in your favour. It means you're getting a property with a higher market value than the purchase price, potentially building instant equity.

What if I disagree with my home appraisal?

Consumers have the option of filing a complaint regarding their appraisal or evaluation directly with their lender, or through the lender's federal regulator. Visit HelpWithMyBank.gov for more information about how to contact your lender's regulator and how to file an appraisal complaint.

How do you justify valuation?

Methods like calibrating with other founders or using a multiplier based on how much you want to raise can help you find a ballpark range. Using founder fit, product fit, and research can help you justify your company's valuation.