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Appraisals

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$839K Listing Sells For $300K Over; Provides Two Great Appraisal Lessons!

Per our client’s agent, there were 22 offers – and our client’s $1,150,000 offer was not even in the running. So, we’re assuming the home sold for close to $1,200,000, but we won’t know...

April 3, 2026 3 min read
House appraisal of a 839k listing.

What is a CU Score on an Appraisal?

A CU score is Fannie Mae's automated risk rating for residential appraisals, ranging from 1 (lowest risk) to 5 (highest risk). Learn what each score means, what triggers a high CU flag, and what...

April 2, 2026 13 min read
Prettily adorned house door

3 Appraisal Types Agents Need To Know; Lender-Paid Buydowns; Lenders Can’t Charge For Credit Repair…

This is a reminder that lenders (rather than sellers) can pay for temporary buydowns, including 2-1 buydowns.

October 31, 2025 3 min read
3 Appraisal Types Agents Need To Know

Discussing Potential Appraisal Issues When Offers Go Out; “Appraisal Gap Strategy”

This is one more reminder that the markets have already priced in the Fed’s impending rate cuts. And that waiting for rates to fall further is often costly.

September 12, 2025 3 min read
Discussing Potential Appraisal Issues When Offers Go Out; “Appraisal Gap Strategy”

We’re Seeing Lots of Low Appraisals; Here Are Your Options

Appraisals are coming in low more often, but here are six ways to keep deals alive, including smart uses of PMI.

September 11, 2025 5 min read
We’re Seeing Lots of Low Appraisals; Here Are Your Options

Appraiser vs Seasoned Agent: Whose Value Estimate Is More Accurate?

I worked next door to a crotchety old RE/MAX agent for ten years – and we used to bet on the ultimate sales price of upcoming listings. I was always quite certain I’d win because of my vast...

March 21, 2025 3 min read
An appraiser in a suit holding a clipboard in front of them in a house

Zillow: As Flawed As It Ever Was

I blogged about Zillow’s flaws many times over the years, starting in 2014, and I am amazed things have not improved more, particularly with the advent of AI. I am bringing it up again today...

March 7, 2025 5 min read
A real estate appraiser standing in front of a garage holding a clipboard.

What Is An Appraisal Contingency? Why It Matters

Discover how an appraisal contingency protects your investment by letting you cancel or renegotiate a deal if a home appraises below the agreed sales price. This guide explains how appraisal,...

February 25, 2025 8 min read
Real estate professional envisioning future homeowners' journey

Property Value = Lesser of Purchase Price or Appraisal; Gift of Equity

This is a reminder that lenders must always use the lesser of the appraised value or the purchase price on the contract for financing and loan-to-value purposes. So, even if we have a rock solid...

January 22, 2025 3 min read
Property Value = Lesser of Purchase Price or Appraisal; Gift of Equity

Why Appraising a Home For More Than Purchase Price Is So Difficult – For 12 Months

Fed Week: Corruption or Panic on the Part of the Fed? The Fed will announce a rate cut this week, and many pundits are now predicting a 50-basis point cut […]

September 16, 2024 4 min read
Why Appraising a Home For More Than Purchase Price Is So Difficult – For 12 Months

Appraisal Waivers Galore – But NOT for CA; Key Reminder For Borrowers Making Multiple Offers

The total number of appraisers is dwindling so fast that Fannie and Freddie are desperately looking for solutions – and appraisal waivers are just one of them.

July 29, 2024 3 min read
Appraisal Waivers Galore – But NOT for CA; Key Reminder For Borrowers Making Multiple Offers

What To Say To Appraisers? A Lot, But In the Right Way

We published this blog several years ago, and I am re-sending it with a very important addition. The addition is this: agents should focus especially on “inconvenient” (low-priced) comparable...

July 19, 2024 3 min read
What To Say To Appraisers? A Lot – But In the Right Way

“It’s Raining Low Appraisals” Why & What To Do

We have seen an onslaught of low appraisals recently. The primary reason is that the market is heating up in some areas – so offers are coming in that are higher than all of the closed comparable...

July 17, 2024 6 min read
It's Raining Low Appraisals Why & What To Do

When High Appraisals Hurt; Fannie & Freddie Not The Same

An appraiser came in $9,000 over contract price last week on a $297,000 Texas purchase – so woohoo, right? Wrong. It almost killed our deal.

June 13, 2024 3 min read
When High Appraisals Hurt; Fannie & Freddie Not The Same
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