When a too-low appraisal jeopardizes a contract on your home, you can:

• Call

Call the appraiser back and share information you think was overlooked.

• Write

Write to the appraiser with specific details.

• Ask

Ask the bank (in writing) for a reappraisal by a different appraiser.

• Hire

Hire an independent appraiser.

• Renegotiate

To make up the difference between the loan amount and the sales price, the buyer can increase the down payment; the seller can pay some of the buyers out-of-pocket closing costs; the seller can lower the sales price, or all three. The secret to keeping the deal together is flexibility.