What makes you think it is fake? (send to me to look)

It is a notice that appraisal came in lower than agreed price which is common in 2021 due to fast increasing values.

You have two days to respond. You need a written list of comps closed in last 3 months with loans that are similar square footage, room count and lot size. Your lender may be the problem not a fake letter, lender doesn't know what it means... Appraisal RAC/management company communicates the Tidewater initiative letter from appraiser to borrower directly

I'm with Caroline Gerardo on this one.  What specifically appears "fake" in this case?  VA Tidewater's are definitely part of the VA appraisal experience when applicable.

Tidewater is NOT fake!

Tidewater is invoked when the VA appraiser cannot find the contract value for the property. He/she will then reach out to the broker to help by providing the comps they used to valuate the property. It's the only instance where the appraiser can work directly with the brokers! 

Sometimes we can get the adjustments in there and support the price, and sometimes we can't.

What does the VA lender have to say?

I have not.  Rarely if ever these days do I work with buyers. 

I have not worked with a VA buyer in over 10 years. 

I would think the lender would be the one to get it, not the buyer. 

 What would a forger hope to gain from this?

   Does the letter name a Point of Contact?  Are they demanding comps to support the value/contract price?   Is there any request for money or additional funding?

Not yet. Research and Verify.

If it looks like a scam and smells like a scam, then it probably is.  But how did you determine that it's fake.

The market is so healthy why fake anything? On the lender, what is their business model fake or real? Plus, I have known lenders to send out a second appraisal especially if disputed

Sounds like a scam to me but honestly I haven't been involved in a VA loan for quite some time.  Plenty of good lenders on AR that will have ideas as I've read a few already.  Good luck on this Rocky.

Check with the lender and/or appraiser directly.  I've had appraisers reach out to me for comps. 

Similar to Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist, I run into VERY few VA transactions. In our market, conventional buyers are able to provide more attractive offers. In over 20 years, I have never represented a VA buyer and only one seller whose buyer used a VA loan.

I have had a few VA appraisals call Tidewater, especially since our values are so high, and buyers are paying way over fair market value.    Why would you think it is fake?

Can't say I've come across any fake Tidewater letters. I know a house in a neighborhood where I've got a home closing got one of those. They priced it crazy high and sold it quickly... but VA appraiser is not supporting that price. The listing agent called me to ask what my house sold for... I basically told her our sale price was market value and would not help support her listing's price.

Recently I had a Tidewater letter for a buyer purchase... the difference was only $5,000 on a $400,000+ sale. We knew when we made the offer we were probably $5,000 over market value and told the seller we would eat the difference if it didn't appraise up to $5,000.

WOW! A fake one? I would check with the lender - they would know. How crazy would that be if it is fake, Rocky?!

Good luck.

Never heard the letter referred to as Tidewater. Seems like not a bad thing as Candice says. Brokers can help with comps.

.Have never run into this issue but have only worked with a handful of VA buyers. Interesting situation and conversation