AQB - Appraisers Blogs

App-solutely Clueless: When Sales Tries to School Appraisers

Dave Towne — Fri, 17 Oct 2025 12:30:46 +0000

A newly funded bias-checking app claims to fix appraisal discrimination, by sidelining appraisers, duplicating existing standards, and redefining valuation from the sales floor. Appraisers, this bit of news about a new bias checking app fluttered across my office floor the other day, causing me to trip. From the article: “…eliminate home appraisal bias, which happens when Black homeowners’ properties or properties in predominately Black neighborhoods are valued less than comparable properties owned by white households or in primarily white neighborhoods.” This new electronic theoretical bias checker was developed by three women in Philadelphia, who ARE NOT appraisers. Instead, they are...

The post App-solutely Clueless: When Sales Tries to School Appraisers appeared on Appraisers Blogs.

The Illogical Reality of Mortgage Appraisal Reviews

Dallas T. Kiedrowski, MNAA — Thu, 13 Jun 2024 12:30:28 +0000

Reforming the appraisal review process is essential to maintaining the integrity of the real estate market and protecting consumers and homeowners. In mortgage financing, the appraisal process is often seen as the foundation of accurate property valuation and market stability. However, beneath this façade of reliability lies a troubling rift: while real estate appraisers must navigate stringent licensing protocols and scrutiny, the individuals reviewing the appraisals often operate with minimal oversight, instead leaning heavily on automated systems and algorithms. This stark disparity not only undermines the credibility of the review process but also revives the threat of past missteps, once...

The post The Illogical Reality of Mortgage Appraisal Reviews appeared on Appraisers Blogs.

AQB Initial Fair Housing Course

AppraisersBlogs — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 12:30:54 +0000

Mandatory completion of an initial fair housing course lasting 7 hours by January 1st 2025, as well as 4 additional hours every renewal cycle thereafter. Recently, the Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) has proposed new requirements for those looking to become an appraiser or renew their certification/license. These include mandatory completion of an initial fair housing course lasting seven hours by January 1st 2025, as well as four additional hours every renewal cycle thereafter if this becomes standard practice. The following is taken right out of the new exposure draft on real property appraiser qualifications criteria. “The core goal is to...

The post AQB Initial Fair Housing Course appeared on Appraisers Blogs.

No End Date for Future Editions of USPAP

Dave Towne — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 12:30:23 +0000

Future editions of USPAP will have an effective start date but no end date. Folks, on Thursday August 11, 2022, the ASB/TAF announced the extension of the current USPAP to the end of 2023. Assuming that a ‘new’ USPAP is formally approved in time, the next issue of USPAP will become effective January 1, 2024. But here’s the interesting wrinkle about this, which I admit I missed in their 8/11/22 announcement: “How long is the current version of USPAP effective? With this announcement, the 2020-21 USPAP will now have an effective date through December 31, 2023. This is an additional...

The post No End Date for Future Editions of USPAP appeared on Appraisers Blogs.

Biased Appraisers? I Don’t Think So

Dave Towne — Wed, 18 May 2022 12:30:48 +0000

To judge an entire profession by anecdotal evidence is equally both stupid and harmful… The entire emphasis was on “anecdotal evidence” which is not documented or supported. Story after story was told about how appraisers had produced a “biased” report. No documentation and no evidence to support their claims was presented. Folks, after discussing this topic with and learning more about the appraiser who wrote this following essay, I have decided to distribute the essay below as a way to further support what we appraisers do in our work, and to expose the fallacies that have been presented to date...

The post Biased Appraisers? I Don’t Think So appeared on Appraisers Blogs.

2022 7hr USPAP Update Course

Dave Towne — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 12:30:08 +0000

Appraisers, if your license renews in 2022, you will need to take the ‘new’ USPAP 7hr Update course. See below. The Update class you have already taken for the 2020-21 book, which has been extended to Dec. 31, 2022, cannot be used for CE credit again. However, I’m somewhat confused as to the effective dates of this ‘new’ Update class. It says “2022-23” which implies it will be valid through the end of (or into?) 2023. But the ‘current’ USPAP is presently undergoing Exposure Drafts for the proposed changes, which will be effective as of Jan. 1, 2023. Normally, the Update...

The post 2022 7hr USPAP Update Course appeared on Appraisers Blogs.

TAF Diversity & Inclusion Subcommittee

Jonathan Miller — Mon, 14 Sep 2020 12:30:12 +0000

TAF president Dave Bunton has made it a point in the last two monthly newsletters to mention TAF created a “Diversity and Inclusion Subcommittee” which is great if it actually accomplishes something. The Appraisal Foundation Board of Trustees added a Diversity and Inclusion Subcommittee in April of this year, one month before the death of George Floyd, which highlighted some of the inequities experienced by Black Americans. The thing is, the Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) hasn’t had a minority member and only 3 women in decades of existence. I really hope that this subcommittee is more than just window-dressing. Adding...

The post TAF Diversity & Inclusion Subcommittee appeared on Appraisers Blogs.

The Importance of Attending Live CE Classes

VaCAP Board — Mon, 06 Jan 2020 13:30:20 +0000

The most beneficial part of participating in live CE classes is what you learn from other professional appraisers attending… The Best Decision You Will Make in 2020! What was the one thing your parents answered your “Why” questions with that made you angry every time? You have probably said it to your own kids as well. “Because I said so” would get you every time. You knew you were never going to win that argument, whatever it was about. VaCAP is not going to tell you “Because I Said So”. But we are going to explain to you why you...

The post The Importance of Attending Live CE Classes appeared on Appraisers Blogs.

Should Appraisers Study Statistics?

George Dell — Thu, 18 Jul 2019 12:30:50 +0000

Yet what was (and still is) presented in appraiser education is the old inferential statistics. Difficult statistics. Convoluted statistics. Statistics for appraisers started to become a hot topic some 15+ years ago. I was more involved with the Appraisal Institute then, and often argued that with the changes in data sources — appraisers would have to learn to apply statistics. Around 2003, the AQB (Appraiser Qualifications Board) revised qualifying education to include the requirement for Finance, Statistics, and Valuation Modeling class. Although I was not solicited to write this class, I was put on the development team, which reviewed and suggested edits and improvements. The...

The post Should Appraisers Study Statistics? appeared on Appraisers Blogs.

DOJ Goes after CoreLogic!

VaCAP Board — Tue, 28 May 2019 12:30:23 +0000

If the DOJ investigation proves fruitful, it is possible appraisal data could be investigated as well… The Department of Justice has sent a Civil Information Demand (CID) notice to CoreLogic. The CID requires CoreLogic turn over documents and answer questions. The article by Rob Hahn explains that the case revolves around not only the search features of the MLS systems, but the contracts and agreements on the use of MLS data by CoreLogic. If this investigation proves fruitful, it is possible appraisal data could be investigated as well. If this is the case, it will be a fast rolling snowball...

The post DOJ Goes after CoreLogic! appeared on Appraisers Blogs.

Customary and Reasonable Fees?

Guest Author — Tue, 23 Apr 2019 12:30:47 +0000

…appraisal firm owners roll up your sleeves & hold the line on fees… I have been the owner of HF Appraisal Ltd since 1993 and I have sat on the sidelines in regards to Customary and Reasonable appraisal fees. I can no longer stand by and read nor hear about this issue. It is amazing to me that over the past five to ten years our fees have remained the same and in some cases are lower than they were 10 years ago. The more that I read about this and talk to appraisers across the country in classes and...

The post Customary and Reasonable Fees? appeared on Appraisers Blogs.

Is It Possible to “Prove” an Adjustment?

George Dell — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 13:30:26 +0000

We read articles and advertisements on how to prove an adjustment. Is this possible? How wonderful it would be. To prove an adjustment, just push a button and bam! Out comes the correct answer. How could we have we missed this? …prove an adjustment, just push a button…Of course, if such a simplistic and exact answer was possible – anyone could push that button. An AVM run, a BPO agent, an “evaluator”, or anyone else. Who needs all that USPAP competence and integrity stuff? Even a lender-appointed hybridized “field inspector” could just push the button. The whole process could even skip working with the licensed appraiser completely!...

The post Is It Possible to “Prove” an Adjustment? appeared on Appraisers Blogs.

Appraisal Simulator

VaCAP Board — Wed, 23 May 2018 12:30:15 +0000

The industry is working of an appraisal simulator… The US House of Representatives Passed S 2155 today! Section 103 allows for waivers of appraisals by licensed appraisers in certain situations. See the bill here. Other News: Last week The National Association of Realtors held their Real Property Valuation Committee meeting. We have 2 VaCAP members on this committee. Here is a brief over view of the meeting from our representative in attendance. John Brenan with the Appraisal Qualifications Board (AQB) spoke at the meeting and gave an update on the roll back of licensing requirements that went into effect May 1st....

The post Appraisal Simulator appeared on Appraisers Blogs.

When is Enough, Enough?

Michael Ford — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 12:30:45 +0000

Yet another expert who is making gazillions of dollars using "virtual assistants and outsourcing"… I have been blessed in my life with more than my share of good friends. I’m talking about the lifelong kind. The kind we maintain friendships over 30; 40 or even 50+ years. My Mother and Father have always told me you can never really have too many real friends. They were right. So, at my age I don’t need or consciously seek to make enemies. Just as I have had more than my fair share of true friends, I’ve probably also had my share of...

The post When is Enough, Enough? appeared on Appraisers Blogs.

AQB Qualifications Criteria Changes

Dave Towne — Mon, 26 Feb 2018 13:30:48 +0000

Folks, I wanted to wait to send info about this until the AQB actually published a document showing the actual ‘new’ Qualifications Criteria for Real Property Appraisers. When first announced a few days ago, no official document was posted – only a news release. These take effect May 1, 2018. See the attached 4 page PDF. Due to ‘states rights’ issues in 54 jurisdictions (states & territories), implementation may not actually happen on 5/01/18. The document says this: “Because state appraiser regulatory agencies are only required to adopt minimum AQB Criteria, it is crucial that candidates contact their state to determine if the state intends...

The post AQB Qualifications Criteria Changes appeared on Appraisers Blogs.

How Fast Can Your Head Spin?

VaCAP Board — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 13:30:00 +0000

Hopefully you have been busy and have not noticed VaCAP has been quiet over the past few weeks. Not by choice, but necessity. You see, there has been so much happening, we have been overwhelmed and our heads are spinning out of control. VaCAP needs more members to volunteer to help us help you. Let us know how you can help. Let’s start with the easy stuff: The Virginia Real Estate Appraiser Board Quarterly Meeting will take place on February 21, 2018. The meeting will begin at 10:00 AM and there will be a public comment period for anyone who wishes to address...

The post How Fast Can Your Head Spin? appeared on Appraisers Blogs.

New Hybrid Desktop Hucksters

Michael Ford — Thu, 18 Jan 2018 13:30:33 +0000

What could lure these successful 'professionals' from their chosen careers? Fellow appraisers, I just received an advertisement for a company that wants to pay ‘me’ $50.00 an hour to do desktop appraisals. Actually, probably not me, because they prefer a degree. Now, my routine hourly rate for complex appraisal assignments is $150 ($500 for EW and something variable in between for pretty much everything else). So they are asking me to take a cut of 2/3… assuming I could meet their degree requirement “preference”. It got me thinking. I cannot always command my hourly rate for 8 hours a day,...

The post New Hybrid Desktop Hucksters appeared on Appraisers Blogs.

Careless Order Takers?

Michael Ford — Mon, 15 Jan 2018 13:30:55 +0000

Appraisers were simply order takers… A friend that refers a lot of commercial work to me forwarded the following communications from an AMC. He’s been telling to ‘go away’ for some time now. This time he played along to see exactly what it is they are hustling. I’ve redacted my friends name and eliminated excessive line spacing and repetitive email signatures. I also bold highlighted references to John Brenan & AQB communications. Otherwise it’s as copied from my email. We’ve all heard enough about hybrids so you can either read the copied emails or skip them. It’s the article from...

The post Careless Order Takers? appeared on Appraisers Blogs.

Action Reminders

VaCAP Board — Wed, 27 Dec 2017 13:30:01 +0000

Topics getting a lot of attention… Life can be hectic around this time of the year and we wanted to remind everyone of a few items that need your attention and action: First: The AQB has another exposure draft out concerning appraiser licensing qualifications. The big issues are Degree Requirements, Alternative Tracks, Practical Applications and Experience Requirements. These topics have been getting a lot of attention as the “perceived appraiser shortage” card is being played by lenders and AMCs. Please take a few minutes and share your thoughts. The exposure draft and comment instructions can be found here. VaCAP urges every appraiser to comment on these topics. The deadline...

The post Action Reminders appeared on Appraisers Blogs.

Hybrid Appraisal Products & Public Trust

Dave Towne — Fri, 24 Mar 2017 12:30:06 +0000

Are busy appraisers doing Hybrid Appraisal products? Appraisers, The article titled First American launches new appraisal solutions technology popped in my system Tuesday early morning as I was getting ready to park my slippers. This article touts another ‘major’ company’s effort to design and implement a new version of what’s become to be known as a Hybrid Appraisal product. These products are designed to have a real estate sales person do the on-site property observation and photos, which are then provided to an appraiser, who completes a USPAP compliant ‘desktop’ appraisal. The whole point of these Hybrid appraisal products is...

The post Hybrid Appraisal Products & Public Trust appeared on Appraisers Blogs.