You found the house, you already know where the couch goes, and then the appraisal comes in low. Or the condo project gets flagged. That stings, and it's okay to be disappointed. It doesn't automatically mean the deal is over. It means we have some math to redo.
We start a low appraisal by rerunning the loan and the cash you'd need, so you're deciding with real figures. From there, the usual choices are asking the seller to come down, bringing more cash, or some of each. If the report has a real error, we can ask for a value review with evidence behind it. Loving the house, sadly, doesn't count as evidence. Before you put in extra cash, we'll look at what you'd have left for moving in and for the first thing that breaks. Whether you can cancel depends on your contract, and if it gets tight, that's a question for an attorney.
Repairs and condos are a different animal. If the loan requires a repair, a seller credit can't automatically stand in for it. And a lovely unit can still have a project or insurance problem that no amount of charm will fix. We get the actual review in hand, bring in the right specialists, and then talk through your choices.
If you're selling, "as-is" doesn't switch off the buyer's loan requirements. Gathering your property records and association information early can surface problems while there's still time to deal with them.
One more thing: an appraisal doesn't replace an inspection. Whether the loan works and whether you feel good owning the home are two separate questions, and you get to ask both.
Related real-estate guide: How to Get Through a Stack of HOA Documents.