Value Assurance: Compete With Confidence (Even Against Cash Buyers)
Buying a home today can feel competitive. You might find the perfect home, only to worry about competing with cash buyers or feel pressured to waive your appraisal contingency just to stay in the running.
At Luminate Bank, we believe you deserve more confidence when making one of life’s biggest financial decisions. That’s why we offer Value Assurance, a program designed to help you make stronger offers, reduce uncertainty, and move forward with clarity.
What Is Value Assurance?
Value Assurance is a mortgage program that helps you make competitive offers by providing an estimated property value before you submit your offer — and honoring that value during underwriting, even if the appraisal comes in lower.
This gives you more certainty about your financing and helps you compete in fast-moving housing markets without unnecessary risk.
How Value Assurance Works
Value Assurance is simple, transparent, and designed to support you from the very beginning of your home search.
Here’s how the process works:
1. We Estimate the Home’s Value Before You Make an Offer
Before you submit an offer on a home, we use an Automated Valuation Model (AVM) to estimate the property’s market value. This estimate becomes your Value Assurance amount.
This step helps you understand the home’s potential value upfront, so you can make decisions with more confidence.
2. A Traditional Appraisal Is Still Completed
A licensed appraisal is still required as part of the mortgage process. This ensures the property meets lending requirements and confirms its market value.
3. We Honor the Value Assurance Amount for Underwriting
If the appraisal comes in lower than expected, we’ll still use the previously established Value Assurance amount for underwriting purposes (subject to program guidelines).
That means:
- Fewer surprises late in the process
- More confidence when submitting your offer
- Reduced pressure to waive appraisal protections
- A stronger position in competitive markets
Why Value Assurance Matters for Today’s Buyers
Compete More Effectively With Cash Buyers
Cash offers often have an advantage because they remove uncertainty. Value Assurance helps you reduce financing uncertainty, so your offer can stand out.
Move Forward With Greater Confidence
Knowing your estimated value upfront helps you understand potential risks before making an offer.
Avoid Last-Minute Financing Surprises
Low appraisals can delay or derail transactions. Value Assurance provides added predictability so you can move forward with clarity.
Make Stronger, More Informed Decisions
When you understand a property’s estimated value early, you can make decisions that align with your financial goals.
Who Can Benefit From Value Assurance?
Value Assurance may be a great fit if you:
- Are buying in a competitive housing market
- Want to avoid waiving your appraisal contingency
- Feel concerned about appraisal gaps
- Want more certainty in your financing process
- Want your offer to stand out to sellers
If you’re not sure whether Value Assurance is right for you, one of our loan experts can help you explore your options.
Buy With Confidence With Luminate Bank
We’ve helped thousands of buyers feel more secure throughout the home purchase process. Value Assurance is just one of the ways we help make your path to homeownership lighter, brighter, and more rewarding.
If you want more confidence when submitting an offer, we’re here to help.
Frequently Asked Questions About Value Assurance
What is Value Assurance in mortgage lending?
Value Assurance is a mortgage program that provides an estimated property value before you make an offer and allows lenders to use that value for underwriting, even if the appraisal comes in lower (subject to program guidelines).
Does Value Assurance replace a home appraisal?
No. A traditional appraisal is still required. Value Assurance provides an additional layer of confidence by establishing a value estimate earlier in the process.
How does Value Assurance help buyers compete with cash offers?
Value Assurance reduces financing uncertainty by providing a confirmed value estimate before you submit an offer. This helps sellers feel more confident in your financing.
What is an Automated Valuation Model (AVM)?
An Automated Valuation Model is a technology-based tool that analyzes property data, market trends, and comparable sales to estimate a home’s value.
Can Value Assurance help if the appraisal comes in low?
Yes. If the appraisal is lower than expected, Luminate Bank may still honor the Value Assurance amount for underwriting purposes, depending on program guidelines.
Who qualifies for Value Assurance?
Eligibility depends on property type, loan scenario, and program guidelines. A Luminate Bank loan officer can help determine if you qualify.
