If an appraisal assesses a property's value to be lower than its purchase price, how is this situation best classified?

When an appraisal determines that a property's value is lower than its purchase price, this situation is best classified as a market deficiency. This term refers to the situation where the market does not support the price that a buyer and seller have agreed upon because various factors, such as condition, location, or current market trends, indicate a lower value.

In real estate, market deficiencies can arise from an oversupply of similar properties, economic downturns, or changes in neighborhood dynamics. Understanding this classification helps both buyers and sellers navigate negotiations and financial decisions related to the property.

The other terms do not adequately capture the specific nature of the discrepancy between the appraisal value and the purchase price. Reconciliation refers to the process of aligning different values or estimates rather than indicating a direct issue of valuation. High demand relates to market conditions where properties might sell for more than their appraised value due to strong buyer interest, which is contrary to the scenario posed. Value discrepancy might seem relevant but is too vague to encapsulate the particular market factors implying a deficiency.