When buying or selling a property, one crucial step in the process is obtaining an appraisal to determine its value. Appraisals provide an objective assessment of a property’s worth, influencing important decisions such as mortgage approvals, negotiations, and even insurance premiums.

However, there are instances when the appraisal falls short, causing challenges and uncertainties for both buyers and sellers. In this blog post, we will explore what to do when faced with an insufficient property appraisal and provide some practical steps to navigate this situation.

Understand the Appraisal Process:

Appraisals are typically conducted by licensed professionals who evaluate various factors, such as the property’s condition, location, comparable sales, and market trends. Appraisers use these factors to determine an accurate value for the property.

Review the Appraisal Report:

When you receive the appraisal report and find it insufficient, take the time to thoroughly review it. Look for any errors or discrepancies that may have influenced the final value. Understanding the appraisal’s weaknesses will help you determine your next steps.

Communicate with the Appraiser:

If you spot errors or discrepancies in the appraisal report, it’s crucial to reach out to the appraiser to discuss your concerns. It’s possible that the appraiser overlooked certain aspects or made mistakes that can be rectified through communication.

Gather Additional Evidence:

If you believe the appraisal is still inaccurate after discussing it with the appraiser, gather additional evidence to support your claim. This evidence may include recent comparable sales, property improvements, or any unique features that were overlooked in the initial appraisal. Presenting a compelling case with strong supporting data increases the chances of obtaining a revised appraisal.

Request a Reappraisal:

In some cases, when the appraisal falls significantly short, you can request a reappraisal from the lender. This request should be accompanied by the additional evidence you have gathered. Some lenders may consider a second appraisal if you can demonstrate valid reasons for your request. However, note that not all lenders will agree to a reappraisal, and their policies may vary.

Renegotiate or Seek Alternative Financing:

If a reappraisal is not an option or doesn’t yield satisfactory results, you may need to consider renegotiating the terms of the transaction. Discuss the situation with the other party involved, whether it’s the buyer or seller, and explore alternatives such as adjusting the purchase price or exploring different financing options.

While an insufficient property appraisal can be frustrating and present challenges, it’s important to approach the situation calmly and rationally. Review the appraisal report, communicate with the appraiser, gather additional evidence, and explore options like reappraisal or renegotiation. By taking proactive steps and maintaining open lines of communication, you can navigate through the process and work towards a satisfactory resolution.

Remember, real estate transactions often involve multiple parties, and finding a mutually beneficial solution is key to moving forward successfully.

Filed under: Home Financing Tips by Julie Woodward
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Getting the best mortgage financing for your new home can sometimes be a complicated process and, unfortunately, things can go wrong. Using a licensed and trusted mortgage loan specialist can help alleviate many of these challenges.

There are certain mistakes that many homebuyers make when applying for their mortgages that can seriously damage their chances of being approved. If you are aware of the most common mortgage issues, you will be better able to prevent them when applying for your own mortgage.

Make sure that you keep the following tips in mind when applying for a mortgage:

Making Large Purchases Before Closing On The Mortgage

Many homebuyers think that they are in the clear once the mortgage deal is approved and they move forward on another large purchase such as a car or home furnishings. However, it is best to hold off on all major purchases until the mortgage is finalized, as additional debt will change your “debt-to-income ratio” which could mean that you no longer qualify for the loan.

Many lenders pull your credit information right before funding, so avoid any big-ticket items until you have signed on the dotted line.

Switching Jobs During The Mortgage Loan Process

When deciding whether or not to approve your loan, the lender will look at your salary and your job stability. If you make a career move during the process of applying for the loan, this could make your income seem unstable and could cause the bank to decline your loan.

Stay in your job through your home closing date to reassure the bank that you have a stable income; you can always switch careers later.

Having No Credit Card

You might think that the fact that you have gotten by without a credit card for this long would be a positive thing in the mind of lenders. However, having no credit history at all makes lenders nervous, as they don’t know how you will handle credit when you have it.

Instead, get a credit card that you repay in full every month, which will help to show them you can manage your credit responsibly.

These are just a few examples of major mistakes that home buyers make when applying for a mortgage. If you can avoid these issues, you will find it much easier to buy a North Padre Island home.

As always, call your trusted real estate professional today to discuss your personal situation and get the best advice on your upcoming home purchase!

Filed under: Home Financing Tips by Julie Woodward
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What if you could accelerate the mortgage payment on your home so that you own your property several years earlier than your 15 or 30 year term?

Making your final mortgage payment and owning your house is an incredibly good feeling and there is a simple way that you can bring about that rewarding day much sooner.

By making one extra mortgage payment every year, you will be able to pay off your mortgage years earlier without putting a lot of stress on your present day finances. Although it might not seem like a lot, just one extra payment per year can help you to significantly reduce the length of your mortgage.

For example, if you have a 30 year mortgage with a fixed rate, it could be possible to pay off your loan in 25 years instead of 30 when you make an extra payment per year. You will also very likely be able to save thousands of dollars over the years in interest charges.

How to Fit the Extra Payment Into Your Budget

If you think that your budget is too tight to squeeze in the extra yearly payment, it’s time to start thinking about what adjustments you can make. With a bit of clever budgeting, you can find the extra cash needed.

First of all, break the extra payment down by dividing it by 12. For example, if your monthly mortgage payment is $1600, you will need to save an extra $133 per month to be able to make a full extra payment every year. Or, you could think of it as $33 per week or $4.75 per day.

Surely you can survive on $4.75 per day less than you are spending right now, right?

There are many ways that you could find this extra money. It’s the difference between eating at a restaurant or cooking at home once or twice per week, bringing home-brewed coffee to work in a thermos rather than going to the expensive coffee shop, or cancelling a cable TV package that you never watch. Take a look at your budget so that you can determine where you can cut your expenses.

Once you make your goal of an extra payment every year, not only will you see that the savings program was easier than you thought it would be, but you might decide to accelerate even more so that it will be even sooner when you have the satisfaction of owning your home.

For more information about the optimal plan for the mortgage on your North Padre Island home, feel free to contact me by phone or email.

Filed under: Home Financing Tips by Julie Woodward
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