{"id":81218,"date":"2026-01-28T10:25:26","date_gmt":"2026-01-28T18:25:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?p=81218"},"modified":"2026-01-28T10:19:54","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T18:19:54","slug":"appraisal-contingency-and-your-homebuying-journey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/appraisal-contingency-and-your-homebuying-journey\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is An Appraisal Contingency? When to Include One in Your Offer"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Key takeaways<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An appraisal contingency gives the home buyer the option to renegotiate or back out of a deal if the home appraises for less than the purchase price.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the home appraises for the same or more than the agreed-upon purchase price, the deal continues as planned.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may choose to waive an appraisal contingency to make your offer more attractive or if you\u2019re confident in the home\u2019s value, but it\u2019s risky.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you\u2019re a<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/guides\/first-time-home-buyer-guide\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first-time home buyer<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or seasoned buyer looking to upgrade or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/when-is-the-right-time-to-downsize-your-home\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">downsize<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, navigating the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/guides\/first-time-home-buyer-guide\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home buying process<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can be daunting. Between pricing decisions and contract terms, buyers often face financial risk if a home doesn\u2019t appraise as expected. This is where appraisal contingencies enter the picture. In this Redfin article, we\u2019ll explore exactly what an appraisal contingency is, when they should be included, and how they can help you get maximum value on a house.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is an appraisal contingency?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An appraisal contingency is a clause in a real estate <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/what-is-a-purchase-and-sale-agreement\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">purchase agreement<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that allows the home buyer to back out of the transaction or renegotiate the terms of the sale if the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/home-appraisal\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home appraisal<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> comes in lower than the agreed-upon purchase price.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When should I include an appraisal contingency in my offer?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>In most cases, it\u2019s wise to include them in your offer, as they can prevent home buyers from paying more for a house than it\u2019s worth. <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/contingencies-in-real-estate\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Contingencies<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are meant to provide a safety net for home buyers, and appraisal contingencies are no different. Additionally, they allow you to get your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/what-is-earnest-money\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">earnest money deposit<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> back if the appraisal report causes the deal to fall through.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That said, in competitive housing markets, buyers sometimes waive appraisal contingencies to make their offers more appealing\u2014accepting more financial risk in the process.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How do appraisal contingencies work?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When an appraisal contingency is present, the sale hinges on the house being appraised for a certain value. Here&#8217;s how it works:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The buyer and seller agree upon a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-price-your-home-for-sale\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">purchase price<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for the house.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The buyer<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bayequityhomeloans.com\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">applies for a mortgage<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Here, the lender requires an appraisal to determine the home\u2019s value.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A licensed real estate appraiser evaluates the home to determine its value.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If there\u2019s a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/what-happens-if-appraisal-is-higher-than-offer\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">high appraisal<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, meaning the appraised value is the same or greater than the agreed-upon purchase price, the sale proceeds.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/appraisal-came-in-low\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">appraised value is less than the agreed-upon purchase price<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the buyer can renegotiate the price, bring additional cash to closing, or back out of the sale without penalty.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"font-style: normal;\"><b style=\"font-size: 16px;\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-81221 size-blog-post\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/GettyImages-1442558356-945x630.jpg\" alt=\"home appraiser standing outside a home looking up at exterior window\" width=\"945\" height=\"630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/GettyImages-1442558356-945x630.jpg 945w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/GettyImages-1442558356-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/GettyImages-1442558356-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/GettyImages-1442558356-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/GettyImages-1442558356-225x150.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/GettyImages-1442558356-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/GettyImages-1442558356.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 945px) 100vw, 945px\" \/><\/b><\/h2>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pros and cons of appraisal contingencies<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Appraisal contingencies can really come in handy for home buyers, but that doesn\u2019t mean there aren\u2019t drawbacks. Understanding the pros and cons can help home buyers <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-prepare-for-a-home-appraisal\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">prepare for a home appraisal<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> if they choose to include one before putting pen to paper.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pros of appraisal contingencies<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The buyer isn\u2019t stuck purchasing an overpriced house if the appraised value is lower than the agreed-upon price.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The buyer can renegotiate the terms of the purchase if the agreed-upon price exceeds the appraised value.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The buyer can terminate the deal and get their money back if the appraised value is lower than the agreed-upon purchase price.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cons of appraisal contingencies<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sellers may favor an offer without an appraisal contingency, especially in a competitive market.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the seller refuses to lower the price after a low appraisal, the deal may fall through.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What do appraisers look for?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The appraisal value is important in determining the maximum amount a lender is willing to finance and helps the buyer and seller negotiate a fair price. The appraisal value is determined by a licensed <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/definition\/appraiser\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">appraiser<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> who evaluates the home\u2019s market value. Certified appraiser John Mulligan of<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.appraiseronmaui.com\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maui Aina Appraisal Company<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> notes the following factors:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Property characteristics: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the configuration, improvements, and amenities of a home, such as the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-calculate-the-square-footage-of-your-home\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">square footage<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the age of the property, and any unique features like a pool or fireplace.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Location: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The location of the house, including the neighborhood, nearby amenities, and school district.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Comparable properties:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The house is compared to three other <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-find-real-estate-comps-in-my-area\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">comps<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (recently sold properties within the last 90 days) that are similar in size, age, and features.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Condition of the home:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The condition of the home, including any needed <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/guides\/repairs-before-you-sell-house\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">repairs or updates<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Market trends:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Local market trends and economic conditions that may affect the value of the house are considered.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Zoning and use restrictions:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Any <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/guides\/zoning\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">zoning<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/definition\/covenants-conditions-restrictions\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">use restrictions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that may affect the value of the home are taken into account.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can an appraisal contingency be waived?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, you can waive an appraisal contingency, but it\u2019s risky. Consider<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/waiving-appraisal-contingency\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">waiving an appraisal contingency<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> if:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/cash-offer-on-house\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">making a cash offer<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The house is in high demand<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You are confident in the value<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you do decide to waive an appraisal contingency and the house does not appraise for the purchase price, you may be responsible for making up the price difference in cash.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FAQs about appraisal contingencies<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is there an appraisal contingency deadline?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes. The appraisal contingency deadline is negotiated between the buyer and seller and is typically set a certain number of days after the contract is accepted, not after the appraisal is completed.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How long is an appraisal good for?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Appraisals are often valid for up to 120 days, but the exact timeframe depends on the loan type and lender requirements.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How much does an appraisal cost?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/home-appraisal-cost\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cost of an appraisal<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> ranges from a few hundred dollars to several hundred dollars, depending on the location, size, and complexity of the property.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Who pays for an appraisal?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Typically, the buyer is responsible for paying for the appraisal as part of their<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/closing-costs-when-buying-a-home\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> closing costs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. However, in some cases, the seller may agree to pay for the appraisal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How long does an appraisal take?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While the appraisal visit can last an hour or two, the overall appraisal process can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-long-does-an-appraisal-take\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How long an appraisal takes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> depends on the size of the house and the appraiser\u2019s workload.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is an appraisal gap clause?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rocketmortgage.com\/learn\/appraisal-gap\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">appraisal gap<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> clause is a provision in a real estate contract that addresses the difference between the appraised value of the house and the purchase price agreed upon by the buyer and seller.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What happens if the appraisal comes in low and there\u2019s no appraisal contingency?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the appraisal contingency is waived and the home appraises for less than the purchase price, the buyer typically must cover the difference in cash or risk losing their earnest money deposit if they walk away.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn about the appraisal contingency in real estate contracts. Discover how it can impact your home buying journey and ensure a smooth transaction.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":808,"featured_media":81221,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"default","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[34276,34277],"tags":[36447,34618,34529,34617],"coauthors":[36288,34341],"class_list":["post-81218","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-buying-a-home","category-finance","tag-appraisal","tag-buying-definition","tag-buying-faq","tag-home-buying-process"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.7 (Yoast SEO v27.7) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What is an Appraisal Contingency? | Redfin<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn about the appraisal contingency in real estate contracts and how it can impact your home buying journey to ensure a smooth transaction.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/appraisal-contingency-and-your-homebuying-journey\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What Is An Appraisal Contingency? 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