BREAKING: 2020-21 USPAP Extended for One Year

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• Admissions and Designation Qualifications Committee: Stephen D. Roach, MAI, SRA, AI-GRS (Jan. 1, 2021 to Dec. 31, 2021 term).
• International Relations Committee: Ernst. Ulich H. Bergmann, MAI, SRA (Sept. 10, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2021 term).
• Audit Committee:  Robert L. Moorman, MAI, SRA, AI-GRS beginning Nov. 13, 2020.  Moorman’s term will continue through Dec. 31, 2022.
• Strategic Planning Committee Chair:  Robert R. Elliott, MAI, SRA (Nov. 13, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2021).

As you’re probably aware, the topic of diversity and alleged bias in the valuation profession has been covered in the media recently, and it’s an issue that AI continues to take very seriously.

As the nation’s largest professional association of real estate appraisers with over 17,000 professionals, and with more than 73,000 appraisers in the U.S., there’s no way we, or anyone else, can categorically say that no bias exists in the profession and that no individual appraiser has any bias. “Good” appraisals are credible and well supported – as you know, value is not a fact to be found. Attempting to find a non-appraiser’s opinion of the “correct” value sends us quickly down a rabbit’s hole. Instead, we are springing into action with a range of programs meant to attack whatever unconscious individual biases may exist; addressing matters of diversity within the profession; and developing policy solutions relating to mortgage financing and community and economic development.

The Appraisal Institute, the American Society of Appraisers, the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers and the Massachusetts Board of Real Estate Appraisers today announced their collective support for the development of additional training that addresses unconscious bias in valuation, and for each organization to individually review its Code of Ethics and other governing documents to further ensure awareness and compliance among its membership and the valuation profession as a whole.

“During this important time in our nation’s history, our organizations stand together to enhance existing training and ethics initiatives and work even harder to ensure that the appraisal process is free of bias or discrimination of any kind,” said Appraisal Institute President Jefferson L. Sherman, MAI, AI-GRS.

Specifically, the professional organizations pledge to develop training programs for appraisers covering unconscious bias issues, helping to increase awareness by connecting the appraisal community with thought leaders on bias and discrimination.

“Acknowledging that bias exists is but one small step. Together with our partners, we commit to doing the hard work of educating our members about the various ways bias can affect their work, and provide them the tools necessary to overcome bias. By doing this as a profession, and not merely as individual organizations, we hope to underscore to our members and the public just how important this issue is to all of us,” stated American Society of Appraisers International President Lorrie Beaumont, ASA.

Each of the organizations also commit to take steps to enhance their respective Code of Ethics to more firmly or overtly address bias and discrimination issues with protected classes.

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The Appraisal Institute Education and Relief Foundation offers scholarships for AI professionals pursuing designations and state certification. Specific offerings are available for minorities and women. Candidates for Designation and Practicing Affiliates should apply by the October 1 deadline.

The NCAI Scholarship Committee is available to answer any of your questions and guide you through the application process. Contact Scholarship Committee Chair Kelli Mayhew.

Apply Today

As our nation continues reflecting on important matters of racial justice, the nation’s largest professional association of real estate appraisers today reiterated its efforts to expand opportunities for aspiring appraisers and help combat alleged bias in valuation.

The Appraisal Institute has several existing programs concentrating on this issue, including the Appraiser Diversity Pipeline Initiative with Fannie Mae and the National Urban League, along with the Minorities and Women Course Scholarship Program from the Appraisal Institute Education and Relief Foundation.

In the midst of a global pandemic and social justice concerns, the Appraisal Institute published “The Appraisal of Real Estate,” 15^th edition. The textbook long has been recognized as the valuation profession’s most comprehensive source of information for appraisers and other real estate professionals.

“We find ourselves in a situation much like 2008 today, with a global pandemic and social justice concerns affecting all areas of the economy—and many other aspects of daily life—in the United States and around the world,” Appraisal Institute President Jefferson L. Sherman, MAI, AI-GRS, wrote in the book’s foreword. “Today, appraisers and users of appraisal services do not know what the future will look like.”

As you might have seen, two studies have been released in recent years that are gaining some attention in light of recent events in Minneapolis and elsewhere. The Brookings Institution conducted a study on racial wealth gaps attributable to valuation processes. It does not review appraisals, but uses Zillow and owner estimates of value to draw inferences about appraisal. Another report was published by the American Sociological Society, which interviews several field appraisers and takes issue with appraisal neighborhood/location adjustment processes.

The body of knowledge is well established and accepted. The appraisal process is rigorous, and we must defend it to the greatest extent possible. People (and appraisers) are not perfect. We can do more to reinforce existing requirements and to help illuminate important issues. That spirit is central to our Aug. 20 letter to TAF and to the actions we are taking to improve education and awareness.

The Appraisal Institute Board of Directors adopted one 45-Day Notice item on its agenda during its Aug. 6-7 meeting, which was conducted via videoconference due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Board adopted the proposed amendments to Appraisal Institute Regulation No. 4 regarding streamlining the requirements for readmission to Designated Membership. The 45-Day Notice was distributed to Appraisal Institute professionals June 22.

The Board also voted to send to 45-Day Notice proposed amendments to the Appraisal Institute Bylaws regarding the Audit Committee. Additionally, a project team will be created to study potential changes to Appraisal Institute Bylaws, policies and procedures regarding the nomination and election process for vice president.

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Craig Steinley, MAI, SRA, AI-GRS, AI-RRS, of Rapid City, South Dakota, was elected 2021 vice president of the nation’s largest professional association of real estate appraisers Thursday by its Board of Directors during the Board’s virtual meeting.

Steinley’s one-year term at the Appraisal Institute will begin Jan. 1, followed by one year each as president-elect, president and immediate past president. He will serve on AI’s Executive Committee and the policy-making Board of Directors all four years. He also will chair the Finance Committee in 2021 and the National Nominating Committee in 2024.

“I feel privileged to have been elected vice president of the Appraisal Institute, and I’m excited to help guide the organization through these unusual times,” Steinley said. “I look forward to working hard for valuation professionals in the United States and around the world.”

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The Appraisal Institute has assembled a stellar lineup of appraisers from the Top 10 Metropolitan Statistical Areas to help investors, developers, brokers, and other industry stakeholders understand initial buyer and seller reaction to COVID-19.

Residential real estate appraisers from across the country will summarize initial observations and identify considerations that appraisers will evaluate in the near and long term. We will also discuss trends in rural markets, appraiser reaction to policy changes of the GSEs, FHA and VA, and the dynamics with employee relocation appraisals, which require forecasting.

Now available!  This week's AI Answers features a discussion with Lyle Radke, director of collateral policy at Fannie Mae. We received information on a range of issues, including a partnership between AI and Fannie Mae on diversity in the appraisal profession, the strong performance of appraisers in the COVID-19 pandemic, and what's ahead for Fannie Mae for the remainder of the year.

Listen to the conversation.

• Approved appointments to the recently created University Relations Committee;
• Approved an appointment to fill a vacancy on the Women’s Initiative Committee; and
• Approved the transfer of funds from AI’s reserve fund to its operating fund.

Craig Steinley, MAI, SRA, AI-GRS, AI-RRS, of Rapid City, South Dakota, was nominated for 2021 Appraisal Institute vice president by the AI National Nominating Committee at its May 6 meeting, which was held via videoconference due to the coronavirus pandemic.

National Nominating Committee Chair Stephen S. Wagner, MAI, SRA, AI-GRS, submitted the committee’s nomination to the AI Board of Directors at its May 7 meeting. Board members may file petitions for additional nominees in accordance with the Appraisal Institute Bylaws. The AI Board of Directors is expected to elect the 2021 vice president at its Aug. 5-6 meeting.

The Appraisal Institute is devoted to helping appraisers reach their highest potential and making sure they have all the knowledge needed to work in the valuation profession, according to the latest video from the organization. In the video, Tonia Vailas, MAI, AI-GRS, and Michael V. Tankersley, MAI, SRA, AI-GRS, AI-RRS, share their experiences working with trainees.

These appraisers discuss what steps they are taking to make sure their trainees succeed in the profession and the best ways that trainees can find licensed appraisers to work alongside.

Be sure to attend this week's AI Answers, a one-hour Facebook Live session on current affairs affecting appraisers. Adam Johnston, SRA, AI-RRS, of Genworth Mortgage Insurance, will discuss strengths and weaknesses of residential appraisal virtual inspection applications, and Justin Glasser, MAI, of Cushman & Wakefield Valuation and Advisory, will address impairment accounting considerations.