There are alternative programs out there with reduced cost, but you are typically looking at 20% down. 

I would still need to subscribe to a streaming service for cable tv, so cost savings wouldnt be much (or a wash), but otherwise it seems like it might be a viable alternative?

It has a lot of features that I simply can't write down all together.Zoho SalesIQ it integrates with your websites for real time chat supportZoho Workdrive, this is a Google Drive alternative except Zoho gives you 5 TBs right of the bat!

So you didn't do anything wrong, you just didn't know.As for alternatives, most counties have an appeals process... but you will likely lose if you go that way.  

Myself I thought about 2017 was going to be kind of the end of the 10 year cycle and I actually put a presentation together called the Pivot looking at alternative ways to invest in RE. 

Alternatively, if the bank ( assuming there is a bank) is fine with it, you could negotiate a credit and escrow the funds to be released after you do it yourself.  

Before I order a second appraisal, I would investigate an alternative lender.  

What are some good alternatives?  

Are there any repair alternatives we should look into?  

The alternative to that is going to the Cape, Western MA, as well as adjacent states with coastal/lakeside properties where many of us New Englanders vacation.