Appraisal headaches in the Atlanta area are back as the torrid spring ’16 market continues its tear. The number of contracts falling apart or requiring a price adjustment due to an appraisal below contract price is up significantly. The majority of agents simply lack the experience to effectively manage this process; they have little to no understanding of how an appraiser works. The Hank Miller Teams perfect despite this upheaval; clients benefit from our 25+ years of appraisal experience; our sellers are exploiting this strong market and getting to the closing table without incident.
We are regularly consulted by other agents for help with appeals but the odds of successfully challenging an appraisal after it fails are all but zero. The key to avoiding appraisal problems is preventing 
appraisal problems and the key to that is experience and preparation. Understanding how an appraiser works, what they will see as a comp pool, the standard underwriting guidelines they follow….are critical. So too is meeting the appraiser on site. Agents can meet with and discuss the appraisal with the appraisers; agents cannot unduly influence the appraiser. Smart agents understand that it’s always more productive and better to work with the appraiser as opposed to trying to “pull rank” and tell them their business. The appraiser works with data, not opinions.
It’s not difficult – or at least shouldn’t be difficult – to avoid appraisal issues but many sellers are finding themselves having to reduce price because their agents are ill prepared to support their contract. Which reinforces the idea of working with only experienced agents; done correctly this is a profession. There are many ways to reduce the chances of appraisal problems, read about them in the article Appraisal Headaches are Back – How to Avoid Them.
THE HANK MILLER TEAM COUNSELS HOME BUYERS AND SELLERS IN THE ATLANTA AREA WITH OVER 25 YEARS OF SALES AND APPRAISAL EXPERIENCE.
