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If a home's appraised value comes in lower than the offer price, it can create complications with financing. Lenders typically won't issue a loan for more than the property's market value, as this can push the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio too high and may prevent the loan from being approved. Your options depend on whether your purchase agreement includes an appraisal contingency. If there is no contingency, both parties may be locked into the deal, meaning the buyer pays more than the appraised value. If a contingency exists, the buyer can usually renegotiate the price or withdraw from the deal. If a buyer still wishes to proceed, they can try to negotiate a lower price, increase their down payment to cover the difference, or get a second appraisal.

Factors considered in a property appraisal include its size, location, and overall condition, as well as recent comparable sales (comparables) and current market trends.

As a seller, it might feel tempting to skip the appraisal, especially in a hot market that sees a lot of all-cash offers. While you can technically forgo it and hope for an all-cash offer, you’ll likely have a very tough time selling without an appraisal. 

In addition to protecting lenders from risk, appraisals also protect buyers’ investments. As such, it isn’t typically recommended for buyers to skip appraisals.

Some appraisers hold a Member of the Appraisal Institute designation. This accolade is the highest credential property appraisers can earn. An MAI appraisal is typically used for commercial properties.

While your lender will likely recommend an appraiser, you can also hire a professional home appraiser on your own. Choose someone who is experienced in your type of residential property, and ensure they hold all of the necessary credentials that your state or region requires.