u/Btmama — reddlx

I own my home and I just applied for a HELOC last week. Appraisal was Tuesday, 4/28 and was just a young guy walking through the house and yard taking pictures. When he left he said it would be about 2 weeks to get the appraisal completed.

This afternoon, I got an email from the lender telling me the application was denied because “deferred maintenance created unsafe home conditions”. That is just not true. Every system works, all lights go on, doors and windows are solid, water works, electric panel was just replaced and is up to code. There are no holes in the walls, no missing shingles on the roof or pest infestation. Plus, I live here every day and my home is clean and well maintained.

Called the lender who says they don’t know anything other than the loan was denied after the appraisal. Told me to call the underwriter on Monday.

I have searched through the house with a fine toothed comb and the only issues I see are maybe the carpet should be cleaned but it’s not ripped or filthy, I should repaint the front steps and maybe the deck but I see nothing that makes the place unsafe to live in. I had a dinner party last week and I have people come over all the time.

I’m so angry and sad I’m losing my mind. Do I have any recourse here? I don’t have a copy of the appraisal and the lender says they don’t know what the issue is. Am I just screwed?