The appraisal came in significantly lower than our offer price. Our lender won't finance the difference, and we don't have the extra cash to cover it. We might lose our earnest money.

Be prepared to negotiate with the buyer regarding repairs, credits, or adjustments to the sale price to keep the deal on track.

Carefully examine the purchase agreement, particularly clauses related to property condition and buyer contingencies, to understand your obligations.

Get detailed quotes from reputable contractors for the necessary repairs to understand the total cost and compare it against your insurance payout.

Thoroughly review your homeowner's insurance policy and discuss the damage with your insurance adjuster to understand coverage limits and deductibles.

Proactively inform the buyer about the damage, the steps being taken to address it, and the insurance claim process. Offer to share insurance adjuster reports.

Immediately address and repair the storm damage, obtaining all necessary permits and documentation. Provide the buyer with proof of repairs.

If possible, use a shared platform or email chain to document all communications and decisions, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Organize brief, frequent calls with all parties involved (agents, buyer, lender representative) to ensure everyone is informed and issues are addressed proactively.

Advise the buyer to inquire about the possibility of switching to a different lender if the current one is consistently underperforming, though this is the buyer's decision.

Contact the loan officer's manager or a higher-level contact at the lending institution to inquire about the delay and request expedited processing.