Looking back at the mortgage industry trends that shaped 2025, one operational challenge has clearly become a permanent fixture for lenders, the Reconsideration of Value (ROV). What many once treated as an occasional hurdle is now a routine part of the mortgage lending landscape, which is demanding new strategies and innovative tools as we head into 2026.
How We Got Here: Rise of the ROV
If your team has felt the strain of increased appraisal challenges this year, it’s the direct result of a multi-year push for greater equity and transparency. While the groundwork was laid years ago, the most significant changes are happening right now.
The federal government’s PAVE (Property Appraisal and Valuation Equity) initiative set the stage for a top-to-bottom review of appraisal standards [1]. This, combined with the data-rich environment created by the Uniform Appraisal Dataset (UAD), puts every valuation under a microscope [2].
But one significant development of 2025 was the new Interagency Guidance on Reconsiderations of Value [3]. This wasn’t just a minor update, it standardized the ROV process across the industry. Lenders are now expected to have formal, written policies for handling appraisal challenges, ensuring the process is transparent, timely, and impartial. This new guidance is the primary reason ROVs have shifted from an occasional issue to a critical compliance focus.
The Ongoing Cost for Lenders
The focus on cost per funded loan was intense in 2025, and ROVs represent a significant, often underestimated, factor in that calculation. They create a direct drag on operational efficiency and profitability.
- Resource Drain: Each ROV spins up a time-consuming process of research, communication, and meticulous documentation. This operational burden pulls skilled team members away from mortgage origination and processing, slowing down the entire pipeline [4].
- Pipeline Friction: In a competitive market, an ROV is a speed bump. According to a January 2025 survey from the National Association of REALTORS®, appraisal issues were responsible for 7% of all contract delays [5]. These delays frustrate borrowers and can jeopardize closings.
- Compliance Headaches: With the new interagency guidance now in effect, the risk of a misstep is higher than ever. Ensuring every case is handled by the book is a critical, non-negotiable task.
These are the day-to-day realities lenders have been grappling with all year, and they aren’t going away.
A Modern Solution for the Problem: iVALUATION
Adapting to this new environment requires more than just working harder; it demands smarter tools. This is where technology like iVALUATION provides a powerful solution to these persistent challenges.
It’s a tool designed for the market as it exists today.
- Get Ahead of the Questions: iVALUATION offers instant access to a centralized hub of nationwide property data from public records and the MLS. It allows your team to pressure-test valuations internally, spot potential discrepancies, and be prepared before a challenge even arises.
- Respond with Speed and Confidence: When an ROV does land, iVALUATION transforms a multi-day research project into a focused, efficient task. Its interactive comparable selection, with the ability to select from up to 100 comps, helps you build a data-driven, defensible response in a fraction of the time.
- Bulletproof Your Process: The platform automatically creates a clear, compliant audit trail for every step you take. This robust documentation is essential for resolving disputes and satisfying the new regulatory requirements without the administrative headache.
As we close out 2025, the lenders who will thrive in the new year are those who equip themselves with tools that solve today’s problems. Addressing the ROV challenge head-on is no longer optional; it’s a cornerstone of an efficient and profitable lending operation.
Contact us if you’d like to learn more about iVALUATION.
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