What Happens During a Home Appraisal—and How It Affects Your Wichita Home Sale

"What Happens During a Home Appraisal—and How It Affects Your Wichita Home Sale"

By The Stanton Group, LLC – Real Broker | Wichita, Kansas

You’ve accepted an offer—congrats! But before you can officially close, there’s one important hurdle left:

The appraisal.

At The Stanton Group, we guide sellers across Wichita, Derby, Andover, Maize, and College Hill through this step every day. Whether you’re selling your first home or your fifth, it’s important to know what happens during an appraisal, how it impacts your sale, and what you can do to prepare.

Let’s break it down.

🧾 What Is a Home Appraisal?

An appraisal is a professional estimate of your home’s market value, ordered by the buyer’s lender to ensure the home is worth the agreed purchase price.

• It’s required in most financed transactions

• The buyer typically pays for it

• The appraiser is a neutral third-party—not on your side or the buyer’s

💡 Cash buyers may skip this step, but most mortgage lenders require it.

🛠 What Happens During the Appraisal?

The appraiser will:

• Visit your home in person (usually for 30–60 minutes)

• Evaluate the condition, layout, and features

• Measure square footage

• Take interior and exterior photos

• Compare your home to recent sales in Wichita (called “comps”)

• Submit a written report with a final valuation

📋 This process typically takes 5–10 business days.

📊 What If the Appraised Value Is Equal to or Higher Than the Offer?

🎉 Good news! You’re in the clear.

The buyer’s lender approves the loan, and you move forward toward closing without changes.

⚠️ What If the Appraisal Comes in Low?

This is where things get tricky—but not impossible.

You have options:

1. Negotiate with the buyer – Often the seller lowers the price or both parties split the gap

2. Request a reconsideration – If the appraiser missed important comps

3. The buyer pays the difference in cash – Some buyers are prepared to do this

4. Cancel the contract – If no agreement is reached (last resort)

🛡 At The Stanton Group, we always prepare our sellers in advance and fight to protect your equity.

🧠 How to Prepare for a Successful Appraisal

While you can’t control market comps, you can help present your home in the best possible light:

• Clean and declutter before the visit

• Make sure all lights and systems are working

• Fix minor issues like dripping faucets or loose door handles

• Highlight upgrades (new roof, HVAC, flooring, etc.)

• Leave a list of recent improvements on the counter

✨ Bonus: We meet the appraiser with comps, data, and notes—so they understand your home’s value in full context.

🔍 Wichita Appraisal Insight

In areas like Eastborough, College Hill, and Delano, unique homes or historic properties may be harder to appraise due to limited comps.

That’s why pricing correctly from the start and working with a local expert matters more than ever.

🏁 Let’s Navigate Your Appraisal With Confidence

From contract to closing, The Stanton Group is with you every step of the way. We’ll:

• Help you prepare your home

• Communicate with the appraiser

• Strategically manage any low appraisal outcomes

📩 Contact us today to learn more about our full-service selling process—including pre-appraisal guidance and pricing strategies that work.

The Stanton Group, LLC
Real Broker | Wichita, KS
🗺 Serving Wichita, Derby, Andover, Eastborough, Maize, College Hill & beyond