CAR the appraisers need to see the contract more for conditions/concessions then the price. Appraisals are done differently these days. Now independent appraisal management companies have been created. For most (but not all) loans the appraisal is ordered by the lender, the order is received by the management company, they contact an appraiser who goes out and does the appraisal. The appraisal is then submitted back to the management company who usually does their own review of the appraisal and then they send it to the lender. Copies could be made available for the party paying for the appraisal. I say most but not all because I think certain lenders like credit unions do not use the management companies but don’t quote me on that.
As far as where the price can come in at, it depends mostly on comps but concessions can play into it as well. SO for this situation, 8k below list price is, well, 8k below list. Ask the seller to reduce the price or the buyer needs to come up with the money. As far as the appraiser thinking that the price was different… well… that sounds like the appraiser kind of boofed it.
