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How to Use a Rebuttal Appraisal When a Deal Goes Sideways
Every investor eventually faces it: a deal that looked solid starts to crack. Maybe it’s a partner who’s pushing for a buyout at an inflated price. Maybe the lender’s appraisal comes in low. Maybe you’re facing legal pressure, or a tax authority just doesn’t agree with your reported value.
In any of these moments, you’re not stuck. You can bring in a second opinion.
That’s where a rebuttal appraisal comes in — and when used correctly, it can completely shift the conversation.
What is a rebuttal appraisal, and when do you need one?
A rebuttal appraisal is a professionally prepared response to another appraisal that you believe is inaccurate, incomplete, or unfair. It doesn’t just point out issues — it offers an alternative, fully supported opinion based on the same or better market data.
You might need a rebuttal when:
- You’re being asked to accept a valuation that seems off
- A lender’s appraiser misses key comparables or conditions
- A partner or buyer introduces a report that undervalues your position
- An estate or divorce case includes a biased or shallow appraisal
- A tax authority disputes your filing and you need to defend your value
Rebuttal appraisals aren’t adversarial — they’re corrective. And in many cases, they don’t just help you push back — they give you the evidence to regain control of the outcome.
A strong rebuttal doesn’t just say “this is wrong.” It shows the math.
This isn’t a letter of complaint or a list of objections. A rebuttal appraisal is its own formal report — one that:
- Reviews the original appraisal for accuracy and completeness
- Highlights inconsistencies, omissions, or unsupported assumptions
- Provides new or more appropriate comps
- Applies the correct valuation method based on the property and assignment
- Concludes with a clear, defensible value — and explains how it was reached
At Bernhardt Appraisal, we treat rebuttals with the same rigor as primary assignments. Because in high-stakes situations, your second opinion has to be as bulletproof as your first.
Rebuttals often become leverage in negotiation.
In partnership disputes, investor exits, or sales that are starting to unwind, a rebuttal appraisal can:
- Support your position in mediation or court
- Create pressure to renegotiate unfair terms
- Provide a neutral third-party reference for buyers or sellers
- Reframe conversations that were heading toward stalemate
Sometimes, just showing you’ve brought in a neutral expert is enough to get the other side to reconsider. Other times, your rebuttal becomes the new baseline for resolution.
Either way, it gives you a voice — backed by evidence.
Not every appraisal needs to be rebutted. But when they’re wrong, you’ll know.
How do you know if you need a rebuttal?
Look for red flags in the original report:
- Questionable comparables (outside the market, different property types, stale dates)
- Adjustments that aren’t explained or justified
- Incorrect condition ratings or square footage errors
- Market trends that are ignored or misrepresented
- Boilerplate language instead of property-specific analysis
If your gut says “this doesn’t feel right” — you’re probably onto something. A professional review will confirm whether the report is defensible or flawed.
Rebuttals aren’t personal. They’re protection.
This isn’t about attacking someone’s work. It’s about protecting your investment, your reputation, or your legal standing.
At Bernhardt Appraisal, we’ve helped investors, attorneys, and fiduciaries navigate high-pressure situations with calm, neutral rebuttals that defuse conflict and bring clarity.
We don’t overreach. We don’t guess. We simply present the facts — clearly, professionally, and in a way that holds up.
Because when a deal starts to wobble, clarity is your best defense.
