Appraisal Came In Lower Than Expected—Now What?
Totally get it. I once put in a ridiculous amount of custom millwork and high-end lighting, thinking it’d bump up the value. Appraiser barely blinked—just rattled off comps and called it a day. Honestly, sometimes it feels like you’re decorating for the spreadsheet, not real people. But hey, at least you get to enjoy the cool stuff while you’re there, right?
Honestly, sometimes it feels like you’re decorating for the spreadsheet, not real people.
That hits a little too close to home. I’ve had projects where we poured resources into landscaping and unique exterior finishes, thinking it’d set the place apart. Appraiser just shrugged and went straight to the comps—never mind the extra trees or custom stonework. It’s wild how little those details seem to matter on paper. Makes you wonder if there’s any way to get them to see past the checklist... or if we’re just stuck playing their game. At least you get bragging rights for having the nicest house on the block, I guess.
- Totally get this.
- I’ve been there—spent extra on kitchen upgrades, thinking it’d boost value, but the appraiser barely blinked.
- If you’re budget-minded (like me), I’d say focus on what actually gets counted in comps.
- Maybe keep the “wow” stuff for your own enjoyment, not the spreadsheet.
- It stings, but at least you know your place stands out—even if the numbers don’t show it.
Appraisal Came In Lower Than Expected—Now What?
Honestly, this is the story of half my clients. People pour money into high-end finishes or custom cabinetry, thinking it’ll translate dollar-for-dollar on an appraisal. Reality check: appraisers are looking at comps, not your imported tile or fancy faucet. It’s frustrating, but that’s just how the system works.
That said, I wouldn’t say upgrades are a waste. There’s value in loving your space, even if it doesn’t show up on paper. But if you’re hoping for a return, stick to what’s standard in your neighborhood. I’ve seen folks go all-in on a chef’s kitchen in a starter home and get nothing back but compliments from friends.
If you’re itching to splurge, do it for yourself, not the spreadsheet. And honestly, sometimes those “wow” features help your place sell faster, even if they don’t boost the number. Just don’t expect the appraiser to care about your under-cabinet lighting or heated floors... they rarely do.
APPRAISAL CAME IN LOWER THAN EXPECTED—NOW WHAT?
I hear what you're saying, but I think high-end upgrades can matter more than people give credit for—just not always in the short term or on paper. In luxury markets, appraisers sometimes do adjust for things like imported tile or custom millwork, especially if the comps actually have those features too. I've seen a place with radiant heated floors and a killer smart home setup get a noticeably higher appraisal than a similar property without them. Maybe it's not dollar-for-dollar, but quality does get noticed when you’re at the top end of the market. I guess it comes down to whether your neighborhood supports those upgrades... if you’re surrounded by builder-basic homes, yeah, it’s probably a sunk cost. But in the right zip code? Those extras can tip the scales.
