Can I Get a Second Opinion on My Home Appraisal in Fairfax, VA? Here’s What Actually Works

Yes—but “second opinion” usually doesn’t mean hiring a new appraiser and swapping in a new value, especially if you’re getting a mortgage. In most financed transactions, your practical path is a lender-managed Reconsideration of Value (ROV): you submit specific, supportable issues (errors, omissions, better comps), and the lender decides whether to send it back for review.

So, can you get a second opinion on an appraisal in Fairfax, VA?

• If there’s a lender involved: ask your lender about their ROV / appraisal reconsideration process (this is the “second opinion” that actually counts).
• If the appraisal has errors: request corrections (facts first: GLA, bed/bath count, basement finish, upgrades, HOA data, etc.).
• If better comps exist: submit 3–5 truly comparable closed sales (and explain why they’re better matches).
• If timing is the problem: ask whether an updated comp set or market shift justifies review.
• If it’s a cash / informational need: you can hire an independent appraiser for your own peace of mind—but it may not change a lender decision.

What “second opinion” really means (and why the lender matters)

Here’s the key: in a mortgage scenario, the appraisal is ordered for the lender’s underwriting. That means the lender controls the process and also has to protect appraiser independence. So while you can absolutely raise concerns, you usually do it through the lender’s review / ROV channel.

In Fairfax, VA, appraisal disagreements often happen for predictable reasons: micro-neighborhood pricing differences, school boundaries, renovation quality, finished basement value, condo/townhome vs. single-family comparisons, and “apples-to-oranges” comp selection. The winning approach is not emotion—it’s clean evidence.

The fastest, most effective play: a clean ROV package

If you want the best odds of movement, make it easy for the lender (and the appraiser) to say “yes, this is worth revisiting.” Your ROV request should read like a short, factual case file.

ROV checklist (copy/paste)

• One-sentence ask: “Please review the appraisal for factual corrections and reconsideration of value based on the attached support.”
• Factual corrections: square footage, bed/bath count, finished basement, additions, decks, garages, lot size, HOA fees/amenities, property condition.
• Missing upgrades: roof/HVAC/windows, kitchen/bath remodels, permitted improvements, energy upgrades (with dates + receipts if available).
• 3–5 better comps: closed sales that match location + style + condition + size; explain “why these are closer” in 1–2 bullets each.
• One-page summary: keep it tight—no venting, no long narratives.

Fairfax-specific comp tips (where people get tripped up)

• Micro-location matters: being “near” something is not the same as being in the same pricing pocket.
• Model-match whenever possible: same builder/model (or closest substitute) beats a “similar vibe.”
• Condition is a comp killer: a renovated home vs. dated home can look similar on paper but price very differently.
• Basements and additions: show finished vs. unfinished details clearly, with photos and permits if available.
• Condo/townhome nuance: fees, parking, storage, amenities, and building restrictions can shift value quickly.

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Misconceptions that waste time (and how to avoid them)

• “I’ll just order a second appraisal.” You can order one for yourself, but a lender usually won’t replace their appraisal just because you prefer a different number.
• “I’ll call the appraiser and explain.” Don’t. Use the lender as the channel. You want a clean process that respects independence.
• “If I send better comps, they have to change it.” Not automatically. The comps need to be truly comparable, and the appraiser has to agree they change the supportable value.
• “This is personal.” Treat it like underwriting: facts, documentation, and comparability.

Important considerations before you push hard

• Time and leverage: An ROV can add time. If you’re close to closing, decide whether the risk is worth it.
• Outcome realism: Some appraisals are tight and still defensible. Your goal is “supportable,” not “ideal.”
• Switching lenders isn’t a magic trick: A new lender may order a new appraisal, but the value could land the same—or lower.
• Separate “wrong value” from “bad practice”: A value you dislike isn’t automatically misconduct. Complaints are for standards issues, not number disputes.
• If bias is a concern: Keep the request evidence-based and use the lender’s ROV process so it’s documented and handled appropriately.

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FAQ

Can I order my own second appraisal and use it for my mortgage?
Usually not. In most mortgage scenarios, the lender is the appraisal’s intended user and controls whether a review, correction, or reconsideration occurs.

What is a Reconsideration of Value (ROV)?
It’s a formal process where you submit relevant, objective information (errors, omissions, stronger comps) so the lender can review the appraisal and, if appropriate, ask the appraiser to reconsider.

What should I include in an ROV request?
Verifiable corrections + strong comparable sales + a short summary. Your best arguments are factual and easy to validate.

How often do appraisal reviews change the value?
Sometimes they do, often they don’t. The highest success rate comes from clear factual mistakes or clearly superior comps.

If I believe the appraisal was biased or unfair, what can I do?
Request an ROV through the lender with objective evidence. If you believe professional standards were violated, you can also explore a complaint through Virginia’s DPOR oversight process.

Next Steps

If you want help putting together a clean, lender-friendly ROV package (comps, upgrade documentation, and a tight one-page summary), call 703-400-9660 or visit contactjohnny.com.