The Monica Foster Team
Menu
  • Home
  • Buyers
    • Close
    • Properties
      • Search For Homes
      • Request Home Search
      • Our Listings
      • New Listings
      • Home Walkthroughs
      • Listings Videos
    • Buyers
      • Buyer Representation
      • Luxury Home Buying
      • New Home Construction
      • American Dream TV
    •  
      • Cities / Neighborhoods
      • Relocation
      • Short Sales & Foreclosures
    • Buyer Resources
      • Buyer Videos
      • Community & School Reports
      • Area School Districts Facts
      • When Choosing a Home
      • Buyer Negotiation Process
      • Housing Programs
    •  
      • Property Disclosures
      • Ready to Buy
      • Ready to Move
      • Final Walkthrough Checklist
      • Homestead Exemption
      • Real Estate Flow Chart
    •  
      • Title Policy Rates
      • Contract to Close Process
      • Who Pays What?
      • Owning a Home
      • Mortgages
      • Mortgage Rates
      • Property Tax Records
    • Close
  • Sellers
    • Close
    • Sellers
      • Selling Your Home
      • Virtual Selling
      • Luxury Home Marketing
      • American Dream TV
    •  
      • Value My Property
      • Guaranteed Home Offer
      • Home Offer Consultant
      • Short Sale
      • Expired Listing
      • Relocation Company
    •  
      • Selecting Your Agent
      • Professional Photos
      • 3-D Tours
      • Home Staging
      • Virtual Staging
    • Seller Resources
      • Seller Videos
      • Ready To Sell
      • Priced To Sell
    •  
      • Ready To Move
      • Contract to Closing
    •  
      • Who Pays What?
      • Remodeling
      • Real Estate Flow Chart
    • Close
  • Raving Fans
  • About
  • Contact
    • Close
    • Social
      • Facebook
      • Pinterest
    •  
      • Social Wall
      • Blog
      • YouTube
    • Help
      • Ask Us
      • Join Our Team
      • Join eXp
    • Close

Realty Blog By Monica

What Buyers and Sellers Need To Know About the Appraisal Gap

0
August 31, 2021 - General Information
20210831-KCM-Share-549x300.jpg

It’s economy 101 – when supply is low and demand is high, prices naturally rise. That’s what’s happening in today’s housing market. Home prices are appreciating at near-historic rates, and that’s creating some challenges when it comes to home appraisals.

In recent months, it’s become increasingly common for an appraisal to come in below the contract price on the house. Shawn Telford, Chief Appraiser for CoreLogic, explains it like this:

“Recently, we observed buyers paying prices above listing price and higher than the market data available to appraisers can support. This difference is known as ‘the appraisal gap . . . .’”

Why does an appraisal gap happen?

Basically, with the heightened buyer demand, purchasers are often willing to pay over asking to secure the home of their dreams. If you’ve ever toured a house you’ve fallen in love with, you understand. Once you start to picture yourself and your furniture in the rooms, you want to do everything you can to land the property, including putting in a high offer to try to beat out other would-be buyers.

When the appraiser comes in, they look at things a bit more objectively. Their job is to assess the inherent value of the home, so they’re going to study the facts. Dustin Harris, Appraiser Coach, drives this point home:

“It’s important for everyone to understand that the appraiser’s job in the end is to remain that unbiased third party, to truly tell the client what that home is worth in the current market, regardless of what decisions have been made on the price side of things.”

In simple terms, while homebuyers may be willing to pay more, appraisers are there to assess the market value of the home. Their goal is to make sure the lender isn’t loaning more money than the home is worth. It’s objective, rather than emotional.

In a highly competitive market like today’s, having a discrepancy between the two numbers isn’t unusual. Here’s a look at the increasing rate of appraisal gaps, according to data from  CoreLogic (see graph below):What Buyers and Sellers Need To Know About the Appraisal Gap | Simplifying The Market

What does this mean for you?

Ultimately, knowledge is power. The best thing you can do is understand an appraisal gap may impact your transaction if you’re buying or selling. If you do encounter an appraisal below your contract price, know that in today’s sellers’ market, the most common approach is for the seller to ask the buyer to make up the difference in price. Buyers, be prepared to bring extra money to the table if you really want the home.

Above all else, lean on your real estate agent. Whether you’re a buyer or seller, your trusted advisor is your ally if you come up against an appraisal gap. We’ll help you understand your options and handle any additional negotiations that need to happen.

Bottom Line

In today’s real estate market, it’s important to stay informed on the latest trends. Let’s connect so you have an ally to help you navigate an appraisal gap to get the best possible outcome.

Monica Foster August 31, 2021
Tags:   Buying MythsFor Buyersfor sellersHousing Market UpdatesPricing

RELATED POSTS

  • 13813 Bahia Bay Dr

NO COMMENTS

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Your email is never published or shared.

SubscribeSubscribe to Blog

Recent Posts

  • Classic Corner 4BD 3BA Home For Sale in League City
  • Stunning 2 Story 4BD 2.1BA Home For Sale in Rosharon
  • Stunning 4BD 3.1BA Home For Sale in Katy
  • Stunning 3BD 3BA Home For Sale in Rosharon
  • Traditional Gem 2 Story 7BD 2BA Home For Sale in Deer Park

Categories

  • General Information
  • Home Walkthrough
  • Investment Properties
  • Lifestyle
  • New Listings
  • News
  • Sold Listings
  • Vacation Rentals

Our Social Networks

Our Social Networks

Brokered by eXpRealty

Certified Residential Specialist
Accredited Buyer Representative
Certified New Home Specialist
Accredited Staging Professsional
Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist
Seller Representative Specialist

Monica M. Foster

Monica M. Foster
The Monica Foster Team

Houston – Clear Lake – League City
Pasadena – Baytown – Beaumont
Galveston – Pearland – Sugarland
Katy

Main: 346.202.7307

Contact Us

© 2024 Monica Foster Team  • 

Terms of Use  •  Privacy Policy
Texas Real Estate Commission Information About Brokerage Services
Texas Real Estate Commission Consumer Notice