10/09/2026
low appraisal by itself doesn’t show the appraiser was crooked. The best protection is to focus on specific, verifiable errors or evidence of misconduct and use the lender’s formal review process.
What the client can do
1. Before the appraisal: Give the lender a concise packet of relevant facts—accurate square footage, permitted improvements, property features, and recent comparable sales. Ask the lender how it accepts this information and how to request a review.
2. Get and check the report: For a typical first-lien home loan, the borrower is generally entitled to a copy of the appraisal. Check for factual mistakes, such as incorrect room count or condition, omitted improvements, or comparable sales that appear materially less similar than other available sales.
3. Submit a focused Reconsideration of Value (ROV): Ask the lender for its ROV procedure. Identify each disputed item, explain why it matters, and attach supporting records or stronger comparable sales. Keep the tone factual and ask for a review; don’t demand a particular number. Federal guidance describes ROVs as a way for lenders to ask the appraiser to reassess a report based on deficiencies or relevant information.
4. Keep everything in writing: Save the appraisal, emails, comps, notes about statements or conduct, and the lender’s response. Ask the lender to explain whether it reviewed the concerns and whether a correction, supervisory review, or another valuation is appropriate.
5. Report concrete misconduct: If there is evidence of falsification, undisclosed conflicts, discriminatory comments, or improper pressure, report it to the lender and the relevant state regulator. For a Connecticut appraisal, the Department of Consumer Protection handles real estate appraisal complaints; its complaint information is available online.
