Low appraisal, refusal to review after request

Low appraisal, refusal to review after request

Alicia MarksPro Member
Fort Worth, TX · Member since 2020 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes

I have a property in Detroit that was appraised for a refi. When I requested a reevaluation they would not budge on their value. The deal still works at the lower value, and I'm honestly pressed because I need the cash for my next project starting next month. My issue is that they used comps over 6 months old, different finish levels (mine was fully rehabbed and they did an interior appraisal), and expanded as far as 1.64 miles from the subject property.

The kicker is that my contractor flips off-market to investors and had 5 sales the past month all in under 1.5 miles. My appraiser used only MLS and none of the sent comps. The appraisal came in at 65% of the comps I gave. All of these off-market were similar finishes vs minimal or no rehab in the comps.

I don't really have time to go back to use a different lender and hope for the best, but my initial projected value was $27,000 more than the appraisal, but well under the comps I sent.

Anyone ever dealt with something like this? The appraiser is standing firm, but I feel they were not doing much research or thought into their assessment. This lowball comp is the difference of about $30k I should have been able to pull out of the property, which is almost another down payment worth of money potentially left on the table.

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Russell BrazilBusiness Member
Moderator
Real Estate Agent · Washington, D.C. · Member since 2012 · 17k+ posts · 30k+ votes
4y

Put pressure on the loan officer to get a new appraisal. Point out that the age of the comps does not actually fit with appraisal requirements. Let them know you will be changing lenders if they cant get an appraisal done with the actual requirements for an appraisal, comps within 6 months. 

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  • Russell BrazilBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Agent · Washington, D.C. · Member since 2012 · 17k+ posts · 30k+ votes
    4y

    Put pressure on the loan officer to get a new appraisal. Point out that the age of the comps does not actually fit with appraisal requirements. Let them know you will be changing lenders if they cant get an appraisal done with the actual requirements for an appraisal, comps within 6 months. 

  • Lender · Grand Rapids, MI · Member since 2019 · 175 posts · 82 votes
    4y

    @Alicia Marks most appraisers

    Are going to stick to mls to have third party data that supports report and allows them accurately o rain information about thing such as seller concessions etc. the best and typically only way to dispute a value is provide superior mls comps and/or document issues with comps. As for documentation not not items that are matter of judgement. Common examples of things that work would be documenting a error in report( room count square footage etc) Challenging condition adjustments typically a losing bet, but if for example a comp used was in significantly worse condition see if your favorite Realtor can confirm any issues with listing agent that didn’t make it into mls.

  • Real Estate Agent · Metro Detroit · Member since 2020 · 2 posts · 2 votes
    4y

    Have you asked why the comps you provided were not used?    Is the sq ft of the comps dramatically different? Style of home?    That would be my first question, if you haven't asked it.   My guess is that the appraiser doesn't feel what you provided are true comparables.

    From there, I would provide competing/superior comps that prove the value. The MLS can be a good place to find comps when the market is flush- not so much now. Dig into the public record looking for similar sized/styled homes. Mortgage broker can be a little easier to work with regarding this- bank lenders have a responsibility to their employers.

  • Alicia MarksPro Member
    OP
    Fort Worth, TX · Member since 2020 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    4y
    Originally posted by @Joshua Lay:

    Have you asked why the comps you provided were not used?    Is the sq ft of the comps dramatically different? Style of home?    That would be my first question, if you haven't asked it.   My guess is that the appraiser doesn't feel what you provided are true comparables.

    From there, I would provide competing/superior comps that prove the value. The MLS can be a good place to find comps when the market is flush- not so much now. Dig into the public record looking for similar sized/styled homes. Mortgage broker can be a little easier to work with regarding this- bank lenders have a responsibility to their employers.

  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    4y

    @Alicia Marks I'm going to assume the appraiser wouldn't use your comps because they were sold off-market, not through the MLS. What if your flipper/contractor sold them to suckers from California that didn't understand the market and were willing to over-pay? That's the only explanation I can think of.

    I would talk to the lender. See if they'll let you get another appraiser willing to use your comps.

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  • Appraiser · Tacoma, WA · Member since 2022 · 1 post · 2 votes
    4y

    (New to the forum as of today) Also an appraiser. It's very rare that I use non-mls comps. Fannie Mae has pretty strict requirements about market exposure as it relates to market value.  Implicit in that definition is an arms length transaction where both the buyer and seller are not motivated by anything but their own self interest.  (Neighbors, family members, tenant/landlord, business partners would not be considered arms length transactions) 

    If a comp never comes to market, how can you demonstrate it was market value? 

    BUT there's no excuse for using comps more than 6 months old.  That's bonkers.

  • Real Estate Agent · NJ · Member since 2021 · 4 posts · 1 vote
    4y

    Appraisers are too swamped at the moment to even LISTEN to a rebuttal. Some times the only option is to choose another lender and get a new appraisal ordered.

  • Member since 2022 · 1 post · 1 vote
    4y

    As Robert said, appraisers are swamped.  I am in Canada (Mortgage Agent), only two hours from Detroit but I am not fully privy to the rules in America. 

    If you were here, I would 100% switch lenders and get a new appraisal company.  Ensure your mortgage broker has a good relationship with the appraiser going in and they understand up front. 

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