Originally published in the October 10, 2025, issue of AI’s Appraisal Now
Reprinted with permission from AI

The partial shutdown of the federal government is creating uneven impacts across the mortgage and housing landscape. While some loan programs continue operating, others have slowed or paused entirely—creating uncertainty for lenders, appraisers, and borrowers alike.

Originally published in the October 3, 2025, issue of AI’s Appraisal Now
Reprinted with permission from AI

Now in its sixth year, the IVSC Valuation Webinar Series brings together valuation professionals from around the world to explore the forces shaping the profession in 2025.

Originally published in the October 3, 2025, issue of AI’s Appraisal Now
Reprinted with permission from AI

Some recent media coverage has suggested that inflated appraisals may be contributing to valuation-related lending problems in “fix and flip” scenarios in cities like Baltimore, Maryland. But there’s no evidence to support that claim. What’s really happening is a breakdown in how value premises are interpreted and applied—particularly by institutional investors and analysts who may not fully understand the difference between as-is and as-completed market values.

Originally published in the October 3, 2025, issue of AI’s Appraisal Now
Reprinted with permission from AI

The William S. Harps DEI Award honors an Appraisal Institute Member who truly exemplifies the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the valuation profession and has actively worked to make the profession reflective of all the communities we serve. It commemorates the legacy of William S. Harps, MAI—the first African American to earn the MAI designation (1960), former president of the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers (1981), and a leader in breaking barriers in the appraisal profession. Harps passed in 2009.

Originally published in the October 3, 2025, issue of AI’s Appraisal Now
Reprinted with permission from AI

Recently, an outside group attempted to send messages that mimicked an official Appraisal Institute dues notice. While our systems remain secure, we want to remind members to stay vigilant when reviewing emails that appear to come from the Appraisal Institute or any other organization.

At its November 13-14, 2025, meeting in Chicago, Illinois, the Appraisal Institute Board of Directors will consider proposed amendments to the Appraisal Institute Bylaws and Regulation Nos. 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, and 9 regarding:

• Chief Executive Officer Powers and Duties
• Chief Executive Officer Title
• Course Examination Requirements for Candidates
• National Nominating Committee
• Regular and Special Board Meeting Related Requirements

Unless otherwise noted, the proposed amendments are expected to have no or minimal financial impact. 

Originally published in the September 26, 2025, NC General Assembly Update
Author: Jon Hardister of Elevation Strategies

The NC General Assembly convened for session this week, where they voted on several matters and worked to address budgetary issues.

Originally published in the September 26, 2025, issue of AI’s Appraisal Now
Reprinted with permission from AI

The Department of the Interior (DOI) has begun implementing provisions of the Accelerating Appraisals and Conservation Efforts (AACE) Act, which expands the Department’s authority to procure appraisal services. The law authorizes DOI to contract directly with any certified general appraiser in the United States, but only after first attempting to locate an appraiser in the state where the assignment occurs. This new authority is intended to streamline the Department’s ability to obtain timely appraisals from qualified and cost competitive appraisers, though state-level discussions are beginning to reveal uncertainties in how the law will function in practice.

Congratulations to one of our own! Governor Josh Stein has appointed Laura Gourlay, MAI, AI-GRS to a three-year term on the North Carolina Appraisal Board, ending June 2028. Laura is an executive officer of the North Carolina Chapter of the Appraisal Institute. Currently serving as Secretary in 2025, she will serve as chapter Treasurer in 2026. Laura is the owner of AccuAppraisal of NC, LLC, which is headquartered in Asheville, NC, and whose primary market area encompasses western North Carolina.

She is an expert in Eminent Domain appraising and works full time for the NCDOT as a review appraiser. Her practice also includes appraisal and consulting on a wide variety of commercial real estate. Laura regularly teaches for the NCDOT, and is an AQB Certified USPAP Instructor. 

Originally published in the September 26, 2025, issue of AI’s Appraisal Now
Reprinted with permission from AI

A new push to modernize the real property appraiser licensing process is underway. The Portal for Appraiser Licensing Act (H.R. 5520) has been officially reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives, led by Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA) with bipartisan cosponsors Reps. David Kustoff (R-TN), Daniel Meuser (R-PA), Scott Fitzgerald (R-WI), Brittney Pettersen (D-CO), Joe Neguse (D-CO), and Susie Lee (D-NV).

A highlight of our Q3 Chapter Business Meeting in Asheville last week was honoring our newest designee – Brent Koenig, MAI, AI-GRS – who was recognized for his designation by NCAI President Elect Greyson Morgan, MAI.

Brent provides real estate valuation, consulting, research and project management services, and has 22 years of experience in real estate as a manager, director, practice leader, appraiser, owner-builder and project engineer. He has advised lenders, investors, developers and builders on the development of 93,000+ housing units. Brent currently works for Freddie Mac as a Senior Credit Risk Consultant and Senior Review Appraiser.

Originally published in the September 19, 2025, issue of AI’s Appraisal Now
Reprinted with permission from AI

 A federal judge has ruled that Rocket Mortgage and appraisal management company Solidifi must defend themselves against allegations of appraisal bias under the Fair Housing Act.

Thank you to everyone who came out to the Embassy Suites by Hilton Asheville Downtown last Thursday for NCAI's Q3 Chapter Business Meeting. We had a great meeting and we got a lot accomplished: we discussed chapter news and events, we recognized industry achievement, we connected with old friends and industry peers, and we enjoyed a presentation by an outstanding local leader!

(L-R): Real Estate Valuation Conference Committee Residential Chair Nathan Pippin, SRA; Government Relations Committee Chair Shep Overton, MAI; President Kelli Mayhew, MAI, SRA; Treasurer Brian Crowder, MAI, SRA; and Women’s Initiative Committee Chair Linda Nelson

The process for nomination and election of the Appraisal Institute’s 2025 vice president has begun. The following individuals (listed alphabetically) have announced their candidacies and will come before the National Nominating Committee at its September 29-30 meeting in Chicago:

• Smedmore Bernard, Jr., MAI
• Joseph Calvanico, MAI, AI-GRS
• Enrique 'Henry' Casado, MAI, SRA, AI-GRS, AI-RRS
• Sharon Harbin, MAI, SRA, AI-GRS
• Ryan Hlubb, MAI, SRA
• Ashley Johnson, MAI, SRA
• Jefferson Sherman, MAI, AI-GRS

AI Members may view the candidate biographies and questionnaires (log-in required) and written input may be provided by 5 p.m. CT, Wednesday, September 24. Correspondence should be addressed to Sandy Adomatis, SRA, chair, 2025 National Nominating Committee, and emailed to Joan Barngrover, board secretary and special assistant to the CEO, at j[email protected].

The Appraisal Institute is seeking individuals interested in serving as the 2026 Vice President of the Appraisal Institute. The 2026 Vice President will succeed to:

• 2027 President Elect
• 2028 President
• 2029 Immediate Past President

How to Submit a Nomination

If you are interested in serving, or wish to recommend someone for the position, please send a written recommendation to:

Our membership keeps growing. We're thrilled to introduce the following new members of the North Carolina Chapter of the Appraisal Institute:

Associate Member

• George H. Williams, McLeansville, NC

Affiliate Member

• Lloyd Barron Van Dyke, Arden, NC

Thank you for joining, and we're excited to have you as a part of the NCAI community!

We’re back in tune — and we can’t wait to see you in Nashville!

Join hundreds of valuation professionals April 14–15, 2026, for the Appraisal Institute Annual Conference, packed with energy, innovation, and connections you won’t find anywhere else.

By Jon Hardister and Sebastian King of Elevation Strategies

The NC General Assembly convened for session earlier this week, but no action was taken. They have now adjourned with plans to return for work on September 22nd.

Originally published in the August 22, 2025, issue of AI's Appraisal Now
Reprinted with permission from AI

In two recent rulings, the U.S. Tax Court once again signaled that inflated conservation easement valuations will not pass muster. The Ranch Springs (Ranch Springs, LLC v. Commissioner, 164 TC 2025-6) and Beaverdam Creek Holdings (Beaverdam Creek Holdings v. Commissioner TC Memo 2025-53) cases both centered on charitable deductions tied to land conservation, and in each, the court found the taxpayer’s claimed values to be dramatically overstated.