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.

By Greyson Morgan, MAI, NCAI President-Elect

NCAI and the Government Relations Committee have been working diligently and have made significant positive progress in recent months at the North Carolina Capitol!

By Brian Crowder, MAI, SRA, 2025 NCAI Treasurer

Leadership Development and Advisory Council (LDAC) 2025
May 14-16, 2025 | Washington, D.C.

The first annual Appraisal Institute Legislative Day was held in conjunction with the Leadership Development and Advisory Council (LDAC) meeting May 14-16, in Washington, DC.

(L-R): Keith Bolte, Erica Butler, Richard Earley, Brian Crowder and Laura Gourlay

NCAI Government Relations Committee Chair Shepherd Overton, MAI, attended the North Carolina Appraisal Board meeting on April 22, 2025.

The highlight of the meeting was a presentation by John Russell and Peter Fontana representing the Appraisal Foundation. The theme of their presentation was alternative experience, and the ways the Appraisal Qualification Board was exploring to allow for experience outside of the traditional appraisal writing route. The main thrust was the experience assessors have around the country, the classes they must take, and what their output looks like, i.e., a mass appraisal. The presenters spoke about a possible path for these types of alternative valuation professionals and how their experience, plus appropriate state testing, could be a pathway toward appraisal licensing. They noted some discussion is underway regarding whether assessors who might qualify for their experience would be required to submit sample reports to state boards prior to licensure. The presenters addressed how this aligns with the current problems facing the traditional path and finding supervisors.

NCAI had a very good day at the NC Capitol on Tuesday, April 29th for Legislative Affairs Day. Team NCAI was represented by a phenomenal group of members, including Kelli Mayhew, Mike Elwell, Vanessa Hall, Erica Butler, Richard Earley, Nathan Pippin, Greyson Morgan, and Shep Overton. NCAI was joined by our NC lobbyists Jon Hardister and Sebastian King of Elevation Strategies, LLC, and by AI Director of Legislative Affairs, Scott DiBiasio. Our lobbyists were absolutely pivotal in promoting and protecting our interests.

Front Row (L-R): Jon Hardister, Erica Butler, Kelli Mayhew, Linda Nelson, Greyson Morgan, and Scott DiBiasio. Back Row (L-R): Richard Earley, Vanessa Hall, Mike Elwell, Nathan Pippin, Shep Overton and Monica Long

By Erica Butler, MAI, and Keith Bolte, MAI, AI-GRS

The North Carolina Chapter of the Appraisal Institute was well represented at the recent REVCO joint regional meeting, with Kelli Mayhew, MAI, SRA; Erica Butler, MAI; Greyson Morgan, MAI; and Keith Bolte, MAI, AI-GRS in attendance. The meeting brought together professionals from multiple regions to collaborate, share insights, and discuss key developments shaping the appraisal profession.

Leadership in the NC Chapter of the Appraisal Institute and the NC Professional Appraisers Coalition continue to work together to oppose Senate Bill 690.  In fact, today, NCAI President Kelli Mayhew, MAI, SRA, and NCPAC President Linda G. Nelson, submitted a letter to Senator Danny Earl Britt, Jr.; Senator Todd Johnson; and Senator Eddie D. Settle of the Committee on Commerce and Insurance concerning SB 690 (see the letter below).

The chapter is immensely grateful to the tireless efforts of NCAI Government Relations Committee Chair Shep Overton, and Scott DiBiasio, Director of Government Affairs for the Appraisal Institute, for leading our legislative push to protect NC appraisers from the unintended consequences of multiple bills introduced this spring, including SB 690.

The first annual Appraisal Institute Legislative Day will be held in conjunction with the Leadership Development and Advisory Committee (LDAC) meeting on May 14-15. This is an opportunity for all appraisers to help shape the future of the appraisal profession by engaging in grassroots advocacy on Capitol Hill:

Your Voice. Your Advocacy. Your Impact.

NCAI Needs Your Help

The time to act is NOW. Please join your leadership team in Raleigh, NC, on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, to lobby and educate our legislators on Senate Bill 690. Reach out to Government Relations Committee Chair Shep Overton ([email protected]) to confirm your availability, obtain more information about the bill, and for assistance in scheduling an appointment with your elected representatives.

Important Legislative Day Documents

• Access our NCAI Legislative Day Scheduling and Lobbying Tips here.
• Printable talking points regarding SB 690 can be found here.

At its May 8-9, 2025, meeting in Chicago, Illinois, the Appraisal Institute Board of Directors will consider proposed amendments to the Appraisal Institute Bylaws. The proposed amendments include in part:

• No longer requiring four (4) regular meetings each calendar year of the Board of Directors, allowing for flexibility to have additional or fewer meetings as deemed necessary.
• Streamlining and aligning processes for calling meetings of the Board of Directors.
• Adjusting the notice requirement for special meetings of the Board from at least forty-eight (48) hours, which is the current requirement, to at least forty-eight (48) hours but less than fifteen (15) days in advance.
• Adjusting the quorum requirement for special meetings of the Board to majority of Directors with voting rights. Currently, special meetings require a 2/3 quorum in certain instances.
• Except where otherwise provided, adjusting the voting threshold for special meetings of the Board of Directors to 60% of Directors with voting rights present at the beginning of the special meeting. Currently, the voting threshold for special meetings is majority except where provided otherwise.
• Elimination of the Past Officers section.
• Clarification and non-substantive housekeeping changes.

The Board Meeting and Motions Project Team (BMMPT) believes that the proposed amendments will help clarify and streamline processes for special and regular meetings of the Board of Directors. The proposed amendments are expected to have minimal financial impact.

Tough Questions on Appraisal Bias Deserve Real Answers

During recent Fair Housing Month forums hosted by the Maryland and New Jersey Civil Rights Commissions, Scott DiBiasio, the Appraisal Institute’s Director of Government Relations, delivered a series of pointed, public questions challenging ongoing claims about appraisal bias. His remarks, made during two separate events on April 11 and April 14, raised critical concerns that continue to go unanswered.

Speaking during both sessions - each focused on equity in valuation - DiBiasio challenged the narrative that appraisers are the root cause of racial disparities in property values:

Multiple bills were introduced in the NC legislature last week that will have broad implications for real estate appraisers. The NCAI Government Relations Committee is working closely with Scott DiBiasio, Director of Government Affairs for the Appraisal Institute, to address each of these bills through educational outreach to legislators and through communications with the North Carolina Appraisal Board.

As these bills progress, chapter members will be given an opportunity to assist in outreach to legislators when necessary. In the meantime, you can read drafts of NC SB 690 here  and NC SB 451 here.

Originally published on February 25, 2025 

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) held its second Valuation Modernization Summit on Feb. 26 in Washington, D.C., bringing together industry stakeholders to discuss the future of real estate valuation. The Appraisal Institute was represented at the Summit by Immediate Past President Sandra Adomatis, SRA; Director of Government Affairs Scott DiBiasio; and Senior Manager of Federal Affairs Brian Rodgers.

This May, members Greyson S. Morgan, MAI, Rich Earley, Erica Butler, MAI and Keith Bolte, MAI, AI-GRS attended AI’s 2024 Leadership Development and Advisory Council conference in Washington, DC. On the last day, Erica Butler, MAI was presented with the coveted William T. Anglyn award which is given to the first-year participant who exhibited exemplary leadership, integrity and outstanding contributions to the conference.

The members of Region V can be proud of the many individuals who have served the Appraisal Institute membership at the Regional and National levels. Through their dedicated service, Region V members have the opportunity to meet and interact with other leaders who are also active in the governance of the organization. This enriches their careers by expanding their network of peers in addition to their knowledge of appraisal and other issues outside of their individual communities. Each of you is urged to become involved in this process by seeking out leaders in your Chapter who will assist Region V with continued service on the National Board of Directors, Committees, and Panels

The Region V Nominating Committee will be meeting live stream via Zoom to prepare a slate of nominees to fill Region V positions for the years 2025-2026. Please consider members within your respective chapters or other Region V chapters who have the skills, eligibility, and character to assume the leadership positions for 2025- 2026 as listed below. You may provide your recommendations to the 2024 Region V Chair, Claire M. Aufrance, MAI, SRA  at [email protected], or the Region V Executive Director, Nancy Linton-Hall, by this Friday, February 9, 2024.

Originally published on November 29, 2023, by the FDIC.

I am pleased to report on the release of third quarter 2023 performance results for FDIC–insured institutions.

Originally published on November 28, 2023, by the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today announced the conforming loan limit values (CLLs) for mortgages Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) will acquire in 2024. In most of the United States, the 2024 CLL value for one-unit properties will be $766,550, an increase of $40,350 from 2023.

Originally published on November 22, 2023, by Erik Sherman for GlobeSt.com.

Originally published on November 1, 2023, by the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council’s Appraisal Subcommittee (ASC).

On Wednesday, November 1, 2023, the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council’s Appraisal Subcommittee (ASC)  held its third public hearing on appraisal bias to discuss how a residential appraisal is developed and reviewed, the process for reconsiderations of value for residential real estate valuations, and the development of rural appraisals.