Virginia Coalition of Appraiser Professionals - Appraisers Blogs

The Board Has Spoken, and AMCs Should Pay Attention

AppraisersBlogs — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 12:30:02 +0000

The Board handled this case with the same patience appraisers have when an AMC sends “preferred comps” from another planet. Virginia’s Real Estate Appraiser Board delivered a message at its June meeting that was impossible to miss. An attorney appeared on behalf of Financial Asset Services and Brandon Sison, asking the Board to reconsider the discipline handed down in March. The request arrived without the AMC or Sison themselves, which already set an interesting tone. When you ask a regulatory board to undo a suspension, showing up in person is usually a good start. The March decision was clear. The...

Fannie Mae Filed a Complaint Against Me An appraiser shared the following with us which was posted on one of the appraisers’ groups. Fannie Mae filed a…
The Great Debate on Appraisal Fees She included several different fee split examples indicating AMCs retained as much as 70 percent of the total appraisal fee…
West Virginia Appraisal Board Scheme The Doomed Quest to Reform a corrupt West Virginia Licensing Board “Board members earn money working for a law firm…

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Suspended: The AMC That Turned “Review” Into a Value Demand

AppraisersBlogs — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 12:30:14 +0000

Financial Asset Services and its chief appraiser did not just cross the line of appraiser independence, they marched past it so boldly that the Virginia Board suspended them both. In a rare twist involving a reverse mortgage, the push for a lower value became so aggressive that the Board ultimately issued a second suspended license to drive the point home. The Virginia Coalition of Appraiser Professionals recently highlighted a case that should make every appraiser pause. Financial Asset Services (FAS) was hired to manage a reverse mortgage appraisal, a product where the pressure often runs in the opposite direction. Instead...

Appraisal Regulation Compliance Council Exposes… The Appraisal Regulation Compliance Council published a detailed breakdown to the CFPB, which showed the median average AMC fee being…
First the Borrower Fee. Now the Appraiser… Two lawsuits place Class Valuation’s fee transparency and staff-appraiser compensation practices under federal scrutiny. Most appraisal disputes examine only one…
Appraisers Pressured to Inflate Values Based on Race The real estate appraisal industry has long been subject to pressure from various sources, such as lenders, borrowers, and agents.…

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The Great Debate on Appraisal Fees

Isaac Peck — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 12:30:09 +0000

She included several different fee split examples indicating AMCs retained as much as 70 percent of the total appraisal fee paid by the borrower, which prompted her to stop working with AMCs because of the lack of transparency. The appraisal industry is abuzz with a discussion about appraisal fees. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) recently issued a Request for Information Regarding Fees Imposed in Residential Mortgage Transactions [Docket No. CFPB-2024-0021] in which it solicited feedback from the public and industry stakeholders on the fees charged to consumers by mortgage providers and related settlement services. The CFPB framed it as...

AMCs Billing Scheme, Hidden Profits & Deceptive Practices Appraisers who do not agree to their hidden billing methods are excluded from the majority of the GSE lending marketplace…
Appraisal Regulation Compliance Council Exposes… The Appraisal Regulation Compliance Council published a detailed breakdown to the CFPB, which showed the median average AMC fee being…
Lack of Fee Transparency: Exposing the AMC Exploitation By keeping the borrower in the dark about the true cost of the appraisal, the AMCs are able to charge…

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VaCAP Supports Shane Lanham’s Legal Fight

VaCAP Board — Tue, 10 Sep 2024 12:30:48 +0000

The outcome of this case will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for the future of the appraisal industry, making Shane Lanham’s fight one that concerns us all. A fellow appraiser is in need of your assistance. Many of you may have heard of a Maryland Appraiser, Shane Lanham, the defendant in a lawsuit for a “low opinion of value based on the race of the homeowner.” Shane is counter suing the accuser for defamation as this has been a very publicized story. Let’s be clear, he is not just fighting for himself, he is fighting for each and every appraiser. As...

Shane Lanham Countersuing Black Homeowners for Defamation Shane Lanham, a Maryland appraiser, has found himself in a difficult situation as he is being sued in The United…
First the Borrower Fee. Now the Appraiser… Two lawsuits place Class Valuation’s fee transparency and staff-appraiser compensation practices under federal scrutiny. Most appraisal disputes examine only one…
The Town With No Bank: How Rural America Lost Its… For decades, we’ve been told that the problem is demand. That people don’t want to live in rural America anymore.…

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Insights from CFPB’s Public Comment Period

AppraisersBlogs — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 12:30:20 +0000

The comment period on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) “Request for Information Regarding Fees Imposed in Residential Mortgage Transactions” concluded on August 2, 2024, with a total of 959 comments received. Upon reviewing some of these submissions, several noteworthy perspectives emerged regarding appraisal fees and the role of Appraisal Management Companies (AMCs). The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) highlighted the lack of transparency surrounding AMC fees, which are often bundled together with the actual appraisal fee on the Closing Disclosure (CD). This opaque structure prevents consumers from understanding the true cost of the appraisal service and hinders their ability...

Lack of Fee Transparency: Exposing the AMC Exploitation By keeping the borrower in the dark about the true cost of the appraisal, the AMCs are able to charge…
The Illogical Reality of Mortgage Appraisal Reviews Reforming the appraisal review process is essential to maintaining the integrity of the real estate market and protecting consumers and…
It’s Time to Take Out the Junk: AMC Practices Exposed Appraisers have spent years carrying the weight of broken AMC practices, and this article pulls every one of those practices…

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It’s Just Responsible Journalism!

VaCAP Board — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 13:30:14 +0000

Not reporting complete and accurate information is nothing more than irresponsible journalism! The local television station WWBT, NBC 12 in the Richmond market is airing a story on Thursday February 22 during the 6 pm News Broadcast, about racial bias in real estate appraisals. We know this is not a new topic and previous stories that have aired have been extremely one sided and not from the appraiser’s perspective. VaCAP was not contacted for information, nor were any appraisers that we know. We have seen the negative impact this type of story has on our profession and we need your...

Why is Only One Side of This Story Being Told? There are always two sides to every story; however, understanding is a three-edged sword: your side, their side, and the…
The Other Side, Racism in Appraisals ...the other side of things, the appraiser profession side since no other news media and organizations are willing to do…
USPAP’s Typical Buyer Standard in the Fair Housing Era The Irreconcilable Conflict Between USPAP's Typical Buyer Standard and the Current Fair Housing Compliance Regime. Retain this document as a…

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Limitations for Damages Against Appraisers

VaCAP Board — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 13:30:33 +0000

Why would any damages against an appraiser be more than the actual fee paid to the appraiser? House Bill 53 has been introduced into the 2024 Virginia General Assembly, directly impacting Virginia Real Estate Appraisers. The legislation introduced by R. Lee Ware places a statute of limitations for damages against appraisers and appraisal management companies at 5 years. SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED: Actions against real estate appraisers or appraisal management companies; statute of limitations. Provides that no action for damages or other relief alleging that a certified general real estate appraiser, a certified residential real estate appraiser, a licensed residential real...

New Jersey Draconian Penalties on Appraisers "Well, I guess no one will be doing appraisals in New Jersey... or maybe the standard fee is going to…
New Suspicious Law in CA ...any suspicion of a discriminatory appraisal by the holder of a real estate appraiser license... Folks in the Golden State,…
The VA Required to Encourage Hybrids - Senate Passes HR 7735 The VA will now be required to encourage hybrid appraisals. If you are a VA Appraiser, here’s a bit of…

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AMC Engagement Letter: Appraisers Do Not Include Your Invoice

VaCAP Board — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 12:30:23 +0000

File the complaint against the AMC yourself OR Forward the engagement letter to VaCAP to file on your behalf. At the recent Virginia Appraisal Board Meeting on Wednesday June 28th, a discussion occurred about Appraisal Management Companies prohibiting appraisers from including their invoices with the appraisal report. The overall consensus of the Board Members was this practice could be a violation of Virginia Appraisal Management Company Statute § 54.1-2022 B. “B. The appraisal management company shall not prohibit an appraiser from disclosing in the appraisal report the actual fees charged by an appraiser for appraisal services, and shall otherwise comply...

Appraisers Not Signing Up with These AMCs Over the past few weeks VaCAP has been hearing from our members on some of the concerns they have with…
The AMCs: Coming Soon to a Lawsuit Near You The AMCs built an entire system on silence, and now the quiet parts are being said out loud. For years,…
Lack of Fee Transparency: Exposing the AMC Exploitation By keeping the borrower in the dark about the true cost of the appraisal, the AMCs are able to charge…

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We the People…

VaCAP Board — Sun, 09 Apr 2023 12:30:40 +0000

We the people need to redirect the mortgage lending direction… The time for every appraiser and consumer to step up is now. This country was founded on the principle of “We the people”. Please sign this petition and share it everywhere. Appraisers have been the target for blame for everything gone wrong in the mortgage lending world. We were blamed for the Savings and Loan collapse, the financial crisis of 2008, and appraisal bias and racial discrimination. Appraisers have even been the target on loans gone bad after several years on payments. Yep, we have been the target and have...

Dear Representative, FNMA Has Gone Rogue! Dear representative, waiving/eliminating property appraisal for lending purposes is wanton recklessness. Fannie Mae’s decision to waive/eliminate property appraisal for lending…
No Appraisals Required. The End of Appraisers? No appraisal may be required in the future! Fannie Mae took a direct shot at appraisers with the announcement of…
House Measurement by Property Data Collector Gone Wrong The lender allowed an unlicensed property data collector give bad data to the appraiser... I work for this lender and…

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Federal Valuation Agency Impact on Appraisers & the Public

VaCAP Board — Fri, 22 Jul 2022 12:30:02 +0000

To establish an independent agency to be known as the Federal Valuation Agency that would oversee the appraisal industry in the name of “equity.” VaCAP has been informed of a Discussion Draft of a Bill introduced into the US House of Representatives that will directly impact every appraiser, appraiser trainee, appraisal firm, and appraisal management company. From the discussion draft, the purpose of the Bill: “To establish an independent agency to be known as the Federal Valuation Agency and real estate valuation standards and appraiser criteria, including promoting a fair, unbiased, transparent, repeatable valuation process, and for other purposes.” VaCAP...

It’s Time to Take Out the Junk: AMC Practices Exposed Appraisers have spent years carrying the weight of broken AMC practices, and this article pulls every one of those practices…
USPAP’s Typical Buyer Standard in the Fair Housing Era The Irreconcilable Conflict Between USPAP's Typical Buyer Standard and the Current Fair Housing Compliance Regime. Retain this document as a…
The Trainee Inside the Fast and Cheap Model The trainee walked into a job expecting mentorship and instead found a crash course in misconduct. There is a widening…

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Is Georgia Going Rogue?

VaCAP Board — Mon, 13 Jun 2022 12:30:27 +0000

VaCAP has learned the Georgia Real Estate Appraisal Board is considering rescinding rule 539-1-.23. This rule is the customary and reasonable fee requirement to appraisers from appraisal management companies. The matter will be decided at a 9:30 AM Sunday July 17, 2022 meeting. From the Georgia Real Estate Commission and Appraisal Board: RULE 539-1-.23 Appraisal Management Companies Purpose: In light of the recent decision and order In the Matter of Louisiana Real Estate Appraisers Board Before the Federal Trade Commission of the United States and to avoid even the appearance of anticompetitive conduct or the unreasonable restraint of price competition...

Remove Predominant Price from New Forms Something that has ‘stuck in my craw’ or ‘frosted my cookies’ for years is the nonsense about stating a specific…
Accurate Appraisal Underreporting The HousingWire article highlighting that only 40% of homes sold include an "accurate" appraisal, as defined by the Corporate Settlement…
Analysis of the "Appraisal Gap" White Paper My critical analysis of Freddie Mac's "appraisal gap" white paper Appraisers, this is not an easy essay to write. It…

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Bias in Automated Valuation Models

VaCAP Board — Mon, 28 Feb 2022 13:30:35 +0000

The CFPB is reviewing bias in Automated Valuation Models (AVMs). The proposed rules are a joint effort by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Office of the Controller of the Currency, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the National Credit Union Administration and the Federal Housing Finance Agency. These agencies are concerned AVMs may reflect bias in design and function. The mathematical models rely on biased data resulting in inaccurate valuations. Basically the agencies are stating historical data going back to redlining is built into these models and do not reflect current market data. Remember markets are not static and are...

Is Race Baked into Big Data? Chicago appraiser and friend (even though she calls me “fancy pants”) writes a stellar explanation of what an appraiser actual…
Use of Census Data in AVM & Discrimination Every single appraisal any of us do has a census tract number as a required element. There are no exceptions…
What If the Algorithms Are Wrong? Algorithms are everywhere... “Algorithms decide who gets a loan, who gets a job interview, who gets insurance and much more…

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No to Desktops with Third Party Inspectors

VaCAP Board — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 13:30:19 +0000

Hybrid Appraisals were tested and failed. So what does Fannie Mae do? Let’s call them Desktops with third party inspectors. Fannie Mae has announced they will soon start accepting Desktop Appraisals. The appraiser does not inspect the property; however an interior floor plan including walls is required. This in itself is over and above what most appraisers typically provide. We understand Fannie Mae’s decision is based on risk; however, risk is not part of an Appraiser’s analysis under USPAP. Will State Appraisal Boards look the other way for USPAP compliance? How will an Appraiser who does not inspect the property...

USPAP’s Typical Buyer Standard in the Fair Housing Era The Irreconcilable Conflict Between USPAP's Typical Buyer Standard and the Current Fair Housing Compliance Regime. Retain this document as a…
ANSI & Floor Plans Goofiness "...if you the appraiser are not required to inspect the property yourself, don’t you want to have a more detailed…
Uncovering Flaws in FHA Appraisal & Loan Review Process The story of this single mother's harrowing experience with a defective home purchase and HUD's negligent oversight exposes deep flaws…

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FTC Has Cost the Appraisal Profession Dearly

VaCAP Board — Mon, 19 Jul 2021 12:30:10 +0000

The FTC has cost the appraisal profession dearly in their pursuit of the State of Louisiana. This entire episode has been entirely misguided… The FTC’s time SHOULD have been spent investigating the AMC trade group known as REVAA to find TRULY non-competitive practices… The FTC is asking for public comments on the consent decree by the Louisiana Real Estate Appraisal Board. The time line to comment is short and ends on July 22, 2021. VaCAP asks each of you to take a few minutes and read the consent decree as well as the analysis provided by the FTC before commenting....

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Call to Comment; AMC Disciplinary Action

VaCAP Board — Fri, 09 Jul 2021 12:30:33 +0000

1. A Call to Comment has been issued. 2. VA is looking for Appraisers. 3. AMC Disciplinary Action Snowballs into Multiple States… A Call to Comment has been issued. The FTC is asking for public comments on the consent decree by the Louisiana Real Estate Appraisal Board. The time line to comment is short and ends on July 22, 2021. VaCAP asks each of you to take a few minutes and read the consent decree as well as the analysis provided by the FTC before commenting. The link for the Federal Register that contains all the information can be found...

New Appellate Decision - LREAB v FTC FTC’s price-fixing enforcement action against LREAB... A federal appellate court – the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit…
Occupational Licensing Used to Intimidate It provides no better illustration of how occupational licensing promotes groupthink and intolerance to differing viewpoints... CALIFORNIA: WHERE RIGOROUS INQUIRY…
Exposing Occupational Licensing Abuses Nationwide She went from viewing occupational licensing as a necessary means to protect the safety and welfare of the public to…

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Advisory Opinion 16, a Game Changer?

VaCAP Board — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 13:30:19 +0000

The Appraisal Foundation has issued an exposure draft for Advisory Opinion (AO) 16. Advisory Opinion 16 is Fair Housing Laws: Avoiding Bias in Real Property Appraisal and Appraisal Review Development and Reporting. Unlike other exposure drafts, the text of the AO opinion has been rewritten. The traditional strike through of word or phrase changes is nonexistent. The Appraisal Foundation acknowledges “the Advisory Opinion was extensively rewritten”. Comments on the changes are due to The Appraisal Foundation by March 31, 2021 via SurveyMonkey or email, asb@appraisalfoundation.org. Although an Advisory Opinion is not a standard of practice, it does express what is...

Blaming, Punishing Appraisers in State Laws Will the same states that do this for appraisers also mandate similar Fair Housing and Fair Lending courses for lenders,…
USPAP Third Exposure Draft ...the Ethics Rule has been expanded with a new highly detailed Nondiscrimination section, which also affects the Competency Rule. Folks,…
USPAP’s Typical Buyer Standard in the Fair Housing Era The Irreconcilable Conflict Between USPAP's Typical Buyer Standard and the Current Fair Housing Compliance Regime. Retain this document as a…

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Are you Laying Bricks or Building a Cathedral?

VaCAP Board — Fri, 19 Feb 2021 13:30:20 +0000

…laying bricks today, putting up a wall, or are you building a cathedral?… If you have been doing appraising for any time at all, you have likely experienced some of the more irritating aspects of our profession: the AMCs, the call backs, or one of my personal favorites, a Realtor’s protest “the idiot appraiser doesn’t know it’s supply and demand! I have a buyer!” An old folk story helps me through days like these, and it goes like this: A traveler came upon three men working. He asked the first man what he was doing, and the man said he...

Blaming Appraisers ...deal falls through and everyone involved is convinced the appraiser ruined everything... We hear all about low appraisals, but we…
USPAP’s Typical Buyer Standard in the Fair Housing Era The Irreconcilable Conflict Between USPAP's Typical Buyer Standard and the Current Fair Housing Compliance Regime. Retain this document as a…
The Real Cause of the Home Value Gap Is the Income Gap Blaming appraisers for the income gap will never solve the real underlying problem... Blaming appraisers for the income gap is…

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It Is Time to Stop the Trend

VaCAP Board — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 13:30:59 +0000

Why FHFA thinks the GSE’s should be even discussing appraisal processes is a question that needs to be asked of FHFA… Appraisers have let others dictate many things in our profession. It is time to stop the trend… How about 20 questions? The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has 20 questions for you. Well, actually it is only 19 questions. The FHFA is the organization of the Federal Government that oversees Fannie and Freddie. They want feedback on how the GSE’s should move forward with appraisal policy, risk and appraisal processes. Now why FHFA thinks the GSE’s should be even discussing appraisal processes...

FHFA to Screw Up Appraisals The FHFA is looking for comments on how they can better screw up the appraisal process. So if you’ve got…
FHFA RFI on Hybrids, Waivers, AVMS, Racism The FHFA is requesting input on appraisal related policies, practices and processes. We encourage everyone to submit comments. The Request…
Dear Representative, FNMA Has Gone Rogue! Dear representative, waiving/eliminating property appraisal for lending purposes is wanton recklessness. Fannie Mae’s decision to waive/eliminate property appraisal for lending…

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Gaming of the System

VaCAP Board — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 12:30:37 +0000

…gaming of the system is happening not only with income, (yes automated income verification has returned) but now property valuations… Appraisers have some very strong opinions on computer driven appraisals. Others are noticing the dangers as well. It is more than just automated valuation models though. In an article written by Danielle DiMartino Booth, for Bloomberg, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are specifically called out on their appraisal waivers. The author compares the dangers of the automated income verification being done in the 2000’s and how the system was easily gamed to the appraisal waivers currently being done. The author...

The New & Improved Fannie Mae “FRAUDULATOR 2.0” Originally known as Fannie Mae’s Collateral Underwriter (CU), and subsequently Collateral Underwriter 2.0 (CU-2)i this always dubious product of Fannie…
USPAP’s Typical Buyer Standard in the Fair Housing Era The Irreconcilable Conflict Between USPAP's Typical Buyer Standard and the Current Fair Housing Compliance Regime. Retain this document as a…
Fannie Mae Filed a Complaint Against Me An appraiser shared the following with us which was posted on one of the appraisers’ groups. Fannie Mae filed a…

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Undercutting the Appraisal Profession

VaCAP Board — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 12:30:10 +0000

Proposed Revision to STANDARDS RULE 2-2…a change that would undercut the appraisal profession in a major way… Comments on the proposed changes to the 2022-23 USPAP are needed. The proposed changes to the reporting requirement of Standard 2 may impact the profession negatively and confuse the public on who we are and what we do. We ask that each and every one of you pause for a moment and comment by July 30th. Below is what was sent out to the Arizona Association of Real Estate Appraisers by Joanna Conde. Virginia also requires anyone using the title appraiser, be licensed....

USPAP Appraisal Reviews in 15 Minutes? $15 USPAP Appraisal Reviews in 15 minutes? A VaCAP member shared with us something they read in an appraiser group…
USPAP Will No Longer Be Misleading Back in early February on Appraisalville, I questioned a new definition that appeared in USPAP for the term "misleading." Many others took…
Bringing Evaluations Under USPAP's Umbrella Evaluations: Concept Paper, Webinar, Public Meeting In early August, The Appraisal Foundation announced that the The Appraisal Standards Board would…

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Virginia Coalition of Appraiser Professionals - Appraisers Blogs

The Board Has Spoken, and AMCs Should Pay Attention

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Suspended: The AMC That Turned “Review” Into a Value Demand

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The Great Debate on Appraisal Fees

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VaCAP Supports Shane Lanham’s Legal Fight

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Insights from CFPB’s Public Comment Period

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It’s Just Responsible Journalism!

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Limitations for Damages Against Appraisers

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AMC Engagement Letter: Appraisers Do Not Include Your Invoice

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We the People…

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Federal Valuation Agency Impact on Appraisers & the Public

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Is Georgia Going Rogue?

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Bias in Automated Valuation Models

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Call to Comment; AMC Disciplinary Action

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Advisory Opinion 16, a Game Changer?

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