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what if my house appraises higher than the accepted offer?
What are my options if my house appraises much higher than the offer I accepted? My agent was awful and I think I could have gotten more.
Asked By Mandy S. | Ogden, UT | 980 views | Tips Advice | Updated 3 years ago
Answers (7)
Amanda Courtney
REP Realty Group
Good news — the buyer gets instant equity. The contract price does not increase. You cannot renegotiate upward unless there's an appraisal clause or the buyer agrees. It simply means the lender sees the home as worth more than the purchase price.
- 3 months ago
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Marty & Abby Champagne
RE/MAX Market Place
This would be a happy day for the buyer. Nothing you can do after you accepted the offer. Sorry
- 3 years ago
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Al Maxwell
eXp Realty
Most likely nothing. Once you get to the appraisal, most likely all cancellation clauses have expired. Please know that appraisals are very subjective and not perfectly accurate. Appraisers have the leeway to plus or minus the various features of your home based on comparable homes. It can be all over the board.
- 3 years ago
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Jordana Jared Proctor
Keller Willams Westfield
That’s not a bad thing, but once you’ve accepted an offer and signed the contract, you’re generally locked into that price. A higher appraisal doesn’t let you raise it after the fact. And the market will dictate what your home is worth better than an appraiser.
- 2 days ago
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Jessica Owen
eXp Realty LLC
I am sorry to hear that your agent was awful. In Texas, the seller typically does not receive a copy of the appraisal report so you would not necessarily know if the home appraised higher than the sales price. It will not change the contract price if it comes in high. If the appraisal comes in low, you would be informed and in that case things may need to be renegotiated. Again, this is Texas real estate, but I assume that it is probably similar everywhere in this regard.
- 3 years ago
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Jordan Smith
Local Utah Realty - Equity Real Estate
If your home appraises higher than your accepted offer, you are typically still bound to the contract price unless there is a valid contractual reason to renegotiate or cancel. The appraisal benefits the buyer, not the seller. This is why it is critical to hire a listing agent with strong experience, recent sales, and a proven track record as a top listing agent. The right agent will price strategically, create competition, and negotiate effectively so you do not leave money on the table.
- 14 hours ago
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Genie McMahan
Keller Williams City View
I am licensed in Texas so I am answering your question based off of Texas rules. If the home you are selling appraises for higher than the offer you accepted there is nothing you can do. You can not cancel the contract that you have already agreed to or the purchase price. Unfortunately, it would be money you left on the table so to speak.
- 3 years ago
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