The Situation That Feels Like the End of the Deal and Often Is Not

You are under contract on a home you want. The VA appraisal comes in below the purchase price. The seller is not willing to negotiate. You do not have the cash to cover the gap. It feels like the purchase is over.

Mark Clark wants VA buyers to know about a tool the VA offers specifically for this situation that most buyers and even some lenders have never heard of.

What a Reconsideration of Value Actually Is

A reconsideration of value, commonly called an ROV, is a formal appeal of the VA appraisal submitted directly to the VA rather than back to the original appraiser. That distinction matters. When you pursue an ROV you are no longer working through the appraiser who completed the initial assessment. You are working directly with the VA to present a case for why the value should be reconsidered.

The basis for a successful ROV is typically additional comparable sales data that was not included in the original appraisal, factual errors in the appraisal report, or comparable properties that more accurately reflect the subject property's value than the ones the appraiser selected. The appeal needs to be substantive and properly documented which is why the lender's knowledge of the process is critical.

Why This Tool Works More Often Than Buyers Expect

The majority of reconsideration of value requests that are properly submitted result in an increased value determination. That is not a guarantee and every situation is different. But it is a meaningful enough success rate that pursuing an ROV before walking away from a home you want is almost always worth the effort when the circumstances support it.

The key phrase is properly submitted. An ROV filed without the right supporting documentation, without a clear argument for why the original value is not supported by the market data, or without an understanding of the VA's specific process for reviewing these requests is far less likely to produce the outcome the buyer is hoping for.

Why Your Lender's Knowledge of This Process Matters

This is a process with specific steps and requirements. A lender who has navigated ROVs successfully knows how to build the supporting package, what the VA is looking for in a persuasive appeal, and how to move through the process efficiently rather than letting the timeline drag while a closing date approaches.

A lender who has never handled an ROV or who handles it casually is not positioned to give the appeal its best chance. In a situation where the difference between a successful ROV and a failed one is whether you get into your home that expertise is not a minor detail.

If you have questions about a low VA appraisal or the reconsideration of value process reach out to Mark Clark directly. He knows how to handle it properly and he wants to get you into your home.

Sources

VA.gov
MilitaryOneSource.mil
ConsumerFinancialProtectionBureau.gov
MortgageNewsDaily.com
Investopedia.com