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Federal Agency Hub

Many agencies in the Federal Government are rich with information and opportunity for Real Estate Appraisers. This section provides information explaining the mission and purview of these agencies, identifies the key contacts at the agency for appraisal related issues, summarizes important appraisal-related laws and regulations implemented by the agency, and also provides links to the latest news and views.

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Advisory Council on Historical Preservation

John Nau, III
Chairman
1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20004
T 202-606-8503
www.achp.gov

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Appraisal Subcommittee

Key Appraisal Contact
Vicki Ledbetter
Acting Executive Director
2000 K Street, NW, Suite 310
Washington, DC 20006
T 202-872-7520
vicki@asc.gov

About the Appraisal Subcommittee
The mission of the Appraisal Subcommittee is to ensure that real estate appraisers, who perform appraisals in real estate transactions that could expose the United States government to financial loss, are sufficiently trained and tested to assure competency and independent judgment according to uniform high professional standards and ethics.

Laws and Regulations Impacting Real Estate Appraisers
Financial Institutions Reform, Recover and Enforcement Act of 1989
Requires that real estate appraisals utilized in connection with federally related transactions are performed in writing, in accordance with uniform standards, by individuals whose competency has been demonstrated and whose professional conduct will be subject to effective supervision.

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The Appraisal Foundation

Dave Bunton
Executive Director
1029 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Suite 900
Washington, DC 20005
T 202-347-7722
www.appraisalfoundation.org

Key Appraisal Contact
John Brenan
Director of Research and Technical Issues
T 202-624-3044
john@appraisalfoundation.org

About The Appraisal Foundation
The Appraisal Foundation, a not-for-profit educational organization dedicated to the advancement of professional valuation, was established by the appraisal profession in the United States in 1987. Since its inception, the Foundation has worked to foster professionalism in appraising by: 1) establishing, improving, and promoting the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP); 2) establishing educational and experience qualification criteria for the licensing, certification and recertification of appraisers; 3) disseminating information on USPAP and the Appraiser Qualification Criteria to the appraisal profession, state and federal government agencies, users of appraisal services, related industries and industry groups, and the general public and; 4) sponsoring appropriate activities relating to standards, qualifications and issues of importance to appraisers and users of appraisal services.

Laws and Regulations Impacting Real Estate Appraisers
Financial Institutions Reform, Recover and Enforcement Act of 1989
Requires that real estate appraisals utilized in connection with federally related transactions are performed in writing, in accordance with uniform standards, by individuals whose competency has been demonstrated and whose professional conduct will be subject to effective supervision.

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Department of Agriculture

Tom Vilsack
Secretary
1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20250
T 202-720-3631
www.usda.gov

Lead Agencies/Offices
U.S. Forest Service
Rural Development
Rural House Service
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Natural Resources Conservation Service

Key Appraisal Contact
Ted Freeman
T 202-205-1360
jtfreeman@fs.fed.us

About the Department of Agriculture
U.S. Forest Service
The U.S. Forest Service is a Federal agency that manages public lands in national forests and grasslands. The Forest Service is also the largest forestry research organization in the world and provides technical and financial assistance to State and private forestry agencies.

Laws and Regulations Impacting Real Estate Appraisers
Federal Land Exchange Facilitation Act of 1988
http://www.ut.blm.gov/wilderness/flpma.html
Establishes guidelines for the valuation of parcels involved in exchanges between federal and state agencies

Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Properties Acquisition Act of 1970
http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/42/4601.html
Requires just compensation for displaced owners and tenants affected by land acquisitions for federally funded projects

Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976
http://www.ut.blm.gov/wilderness/flpma.html
Establishes law governing exchanges of public lands, or interests therein, within the National Forest System.

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Department of Housing and Urban Development

Shaun L.S. Donovan
Secretary
451 Seventh Street, S.W
Washington, DC 20410
T 202-708-0417
www.hud.gov

Lead Agencies/Offices
Federal Housing Administration

Key Appraisal Contact
Peter Gillespie
T 202-708-2121
peter.w.gillespie @hud.gov

About the Department of Housing and Urban Development
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s mission is to create a decent, safe and sanitary home and suitable living environment for every American. Also to create opportunities for homeownership, provide housing assistance for low-income persons, rehabilitate and maintain the nation’s affordable housing, enforce the nation’s fair housing laws, help the homeless, spur economic growth in distressed neighborhoods and help local communities meet their development needs. HUD was born in 1965, but its history extends back to the National Housing Act of 1934.

Laws and Regulations Impacting Real Estate Appraisers
Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974
http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/12/2601.html
Requires lenders to give a borrower an estimate of closing costs within three business days of applying for a loan

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Department of Interior

Kenneth Salazar
Secretary
1849 C Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20240
T 202-208-7351
www.doi.gov

Lead Agencies/Offices
Bureau of Land Management
Bureau of Indian Affairs
Bureau of Reclamation
Minerals Management Service
National Parks Service
Fish and Wildlife Service

Key Appraisal Contact
Bureau of Land Management
Kathryn Gearheard
Deputy Director
T 202 208-5723
kathryn_j_gearheard@nbc.gov

About the Department of Interior
Bureau of Land Management
The BLM administers 262 million acres of America’s public lands, located primarily in 12 Western states. The BLM sustains the health, diversity and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

Fish and Wildlife Service
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principle federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish and wildlife and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service, which currently controls over 93.6 millions acres of land, has an active land protection program.

National Park Service
The National Park Service preserves the nation’s natural and cultural resources for the enjoyment, education and the inspiration of present and future generations.

Laws and Regulations Impacting Real Estate Appraisers
Cabin User Fee Fairness Act of 2000
Establishes guidelines for appraisals done in determining fair and reasonable fees to the federal government for the use and occupancy of National Forest System land under the recreation residence program

Federal Land Exchange Facilitation Act of 1988
Establishes guidelines for the valuation of parcels involved in exchanges between federal and state agencies

Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976
http://www.ut.blm.gov/wilderness/flpma.html
Establishes law governing exchanges of public lands, or interests therein, within the National Forest System.

Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Properties Acquisition Act of 1970
Requires just compensation for displaced owners and tenants affected by land acquisitions for federally funded projects.

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Department of Justice

Eric H. Holder Jr.
Attorney General
Tenth Street and Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530
T 202-514-2001
www.usdoj.gov

Lead Agencies/Offices
Environmental Division

Key Appraisal Contact
Brian Holly
Appraiser
T 202-305-0426
brian.holly@usdoj.gov

About the Department of Justice
The U.S. Department of Justice Land Acquisition of the Environment and Natural Resources Division is responsible for acquiring land either by direct purchase or through condemnation proceedings, for use by the Federal government for purposes ranging from establishing public parks to creating missile sites.

Laws and Regulations Impacting Real Estate Appraisers
Federal Land Exchange Facilitation Act of 1988
http://www.ut.blm.gov/wilderness/flpma.html
Establishes guidelines for the valuation of parcels involved in exchanges between federal and state agencies

Federal Land Exchange Facilitation Act of 1988
Establishes guidelines for the valuation of parcels involved in exchanges between federal and state agencies

Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976
http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/43/1701.html
Establishes law governing exchanges of public lands, or interests therein, within the National Forest System.

Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Properties Acquisition Act of 1970
Requires just compensation for displaced owners and tenants affected by land acquisitions for federally funded projects

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Department of Transportation

Ray LaHood
Secretary
400 Seventh Street, SW
Washington, DC 20590
T 202-366-1111
www.dot.gov

Lead Agencies/Offices
Federal Highway Administration
Federal Transit Administration
Federal Railroad Administration
Surface Transportation Board

Key Appraisal Contacts
Federal Highway Administration
John Turpin
Chief Appraiser
T 202-366-3713
John.Turpin @fhwa.dot.gov

Federal Transit Administration
Mamie Smith-Fisher
T 202-366-1647
Mamie.Smith-Fisher@fta.dot.gov

About the Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
The Federal Highway Administration administers the National Federal-Aid Highway program that provides about $25 billion annually. Designated “lead agency” for implementation of the definitive law dealing with the Federal real property acquisition, the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Policies Act of 1970.

Laws and Regulations Impacting Real Estate Appraisers
Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Properties Acquisition Act of 1970
Requires just compensation for displaced owners and tenants affected by land acquisitions for federally funded projects

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Department of the Treasury

Timothy Geithner
Secretary
1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20220
T 202-622-1100
www.ustreas.gov

Lead Agencies/Offices
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
Office of Thrift Supervision
Internal Revenue Service
Community Development Financial Institutions Fund

Key Appraisal Contact
Office of Thrift Supervision
John C. Price, Jr.
Director of Supervision Policy
john.price@ots.treas.gov

Bob Parson
Credit Risk Specialist
robert.parson@occ.treas.gov

About the Department of Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
The Internal Revenue Service is the nations’ tax collection agency and administers the Internal Revenue Code enacted by Congress. Its mission: to provide America’s taxpayers with top quality service by helping them understand and meet their tax responsibilities and by applying the tax law with integrity and fairness to all.

Office of Thrift Supervision
OTS oversees more than 1,100 savings and loan associations and savings banks across the nation. Its mission is to effectively supervise thrift institutions to maintain their safety and soundness in a manner that encourages a competitive industry to meet America’s housing, community credit and financial service needs and to provide access to financial services for all Americans.

Laws and Regulations Impacting Real Estate Appraisers
Homeowners Protection Act of 1998
Provides for the cancellation of private mortgage insurance

Financial Institutions Reform, Recover and Enforcement Act of 1989
Requires that real estate appraisals utilized in connection with federally related transactions are performed in writing, in accordance with uniform standards, by individuals whose competency has been demonstrated and whose professional conduct will be subject to effective supervision.

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Department of Veterans Affairs

Gen. Eric Shinseki (Ret.)
Secretary
810 Vermont Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20420
T 202-273-4300
www.va.gov

Lead Agencies/Offices
Loan Guaranty Service

Key Appraisal Contact
Gerald A. Kifer
Supervisory Appraiser
T 202-273-7384
lgygkife @vba.va.gov

About the Department of Veterans Affairs
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs purpose is to administer the laws providing benefits and other services to veterans and their dependents and the beneficiaries of veterans. VA’s mission is to serve America’s veterans and their families with dignity and compassion and be there principal advocate in ensuring that they receive medical care, benefits, social support and lasting memorials promoting the health, welfare and dignity of all veterans in recognition of their service to this nation.

Laws and Regulations Impacting Real Estate Appraisers
Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944
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