10/08/2026
You got Tidewater. Now what? 👀
First: do not panic. Tidewater does not mean the appraisal is already low.
It means the VA appraiser believes the property may not support the contract price and is giving the appropriate parties an opportunity to provide additional market information before the appraisal is completed.
This is where preparation matters.
Focus on:
✔️ Strong, relevant comparable sales
✔️ Recent sales that are truly comparable
✔️ Similar size, condition, location, and features
✔️ Relevant market information the appraiser may not have considered
And avoid:
❌ Sending a pile of weak comps
❌ Trying to convince the appraiser to hit the contract price
❌ Assuming Tidewater = low appraisal
❌ Immediately jumping into renegotiation
The goal is simple: give the appraiser relevant information—not a sales pitch.
Save this post. If you work with VA buyers, there is a good chance you will need it eventually.