2027 VP candidates + April 23 Board recap + new market insights
In this issue:
- 2027 AI VP candidates announced: Review bios and submit input by April 24
- 2Q Board Meeting Recap + Q&A: April 23 at 2 p.m. CT—register to attend
- Insight: Appraisal discrimination case highlights ongoing challenges
- AI Find an Appraiser Refresh: Update your profile to improve your visibility
Association Updates
2027 AI VP Candidates Announced
The Appraisal Institute’s National Nominating Committee is scheduled to interview two candidates for 2027 AI Vice President during its May 13 meeting in Chicago.
The candidates are:
- Dale C. Cooper, MAI, SRA, AI-GRS, AI-RRS
- Darwin R. Ernst, SRA, AI-RRS
AI Professionals may view the candidate’s biography and questionnaire (log-in required) and provide input by 5 p.m. CDT April 24, 2026. Correspondence should be addressed to Paula Konikoff, Chair, 2026 National Nominating Committee, and emailed to Michelle Davey, Board Secretary, at mdavey@appraisalinstitute.org.
2Q BOD Meeting Recap Scheduled
The 2Q Board Meeting Recap and Q&A will take place Thursday, April 23 at 2 pm CT. Register here to attend.
Insights
Appraisal Discrimination Case Highlights Ongoing Challenges
A recently filed appeal in a high-profile appraisal discrimination case is drawing renewed attention to the role of appraisers in maintaining public trust, and the importance of credible, well-supported valuation practice.
Lawyers for Civil Rights (LCR) has requested reconsideration from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) following the agency’s dismissal of a discrimination complaint involving an interracial couple in Franklin, Massachusetts. The case centers on allegations that a refinancing appraisal undervalued the couple’s home by approximately $100,000 and that the appraiser’s conduct during the inspection reflected racial bias.
According to the reconsideration request, the complainants allege a marked change in the appraiser’s demeanor during the inspection, as well as deficiencies in the appraisal analysis itself. The home had previously been appraised at $776,000; the subsequent appraisal, conducted less than a year later, concluded a value of $675,000.
The matter is further complicated by disciplinary action taken at the state level. The appraiser entered into a consent agreement with the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Appraisers, acknowledging that the report lacked adequate support for certain adjustments and market analysis. As part of that agreement, the appraiser paid a fine and completed additional education.
Despite these findings, HUD issued a “no reasonable cause” determination earlier this year. LCR’s appeal argues that the agency applied an incorrect legal standard and failed to appropriately consider evidence of disparate treatment.
Why This Case Matters
While the facts of this case will ultimately be resolved through the appropriate legal channels, it underscores several important considerations for the appraisal profession:
- Public Trust Remains Central
Appraisers operate at the intersection of housing access, lending, and wealth creation. Allegations of bias, whether substantiated or not, can erode confidence in the profession and the broader housing finance system.
- Workfile Support and Methodology Are Critical
Independent of any discrimination claims, this case highlights the importance of clear, well-supported adjustments and market analysis. Regulatory scrutiny often begins with technical deficiencies before extending to broader concerns.
- Professional Conduct Matters
The appraisal process is not only analytical, but also interpersonal. Appraiser interactions with property owners can influence perceptions of fairness and professionalism, particularly in sensitive contexts.
- Legal and Regulatory Standards Are Evolving
The appeal raises questions about how discrimination claims are evaluated under the Fair Housing Act, including the distinction between “discriminatory intent” and “discriminatory animus.” These legal frameworks continue to evolve and may influence how future cases are assessed.
A Broader Context
Cases like this emerge amid ongoing federal, state, and stakeholder efforts to address concerns about valuation bias while preserving appraiser independence and credibility.
The Appraisal Institute has consistently emphasized that:
- Any instance of discrimination is unacceptable and must be addressed.
- Policy responses should be evidence-based and risk-focused, avoiding unintended consequences that undermine valuation reliability.
- Professional standards, education, and enforcement mechanisms remain the most effective tools for ensuring credible and unbiased appraisals.
Looking Ahead
The outcome of HUD’s reconsideration process may provide additional clarity on how appraisal-related discrimination claims are evaluated and the role that professional discipline plays in those determinations.
For practicing appraisers, the takeaway is straightforward: credible, well-documented analysis and professional conduct are the strongest safeguards, both for individual practitioners and for the integrity of the profession.
Your Benefits
The New Find an Appraiser Directory is Now Live!
We’re excited to announce that the newly enhanced Find an Appraiser directory is now live.
With a modern, streamlined experience and more powerful search capabilities, it’s now easier than ever for the public and industry professionals to find and connect with qualified Appraisal Institute members.
What’s New
- More relevant results based on primary and secondary service areas
- Improved filtering and search flexibility to quickly find the right expertise
- Interactive map experience to refine searches by geography
- Save, share, and export searches for added convenience
- Enhanced member profiles with richer, more dynamic information
Take a few minutes to review and update your profile to improve your visibility and appear in relevant searches. Visit the Support Center for step-by-step guidance and short video tutorials to help you complete and optimize your profile.
Explore the New Directory Watch the Videos
AI Reports® are appraisal report forms designed by appraisers, for appraisers, to help you complete assignments. Our reports are available through software vendors to all appraisers, not just AI members.
AI Reports are flexible.
Easily tailor the appropriate form to complete a variety of assignments, like:
- Replacement cost for insurance purposes
- List price for potential sale (most often FSBO)
- Probate
- Estate planning
- Litigation, property settlement, property division
- REO
- Partial interests
LDAC Registration Deadline Reminder
Do you consider yourself a leader in the appraisal profession or ready to take that next step?
The Appraisal Institute’s Leadership Development and Advisory Council (LDAC) will return May 20–22, 2026, in Washington, DC. A limited number of seats remain.
LDAC is a signature leadership program designed to develop future leaders while ensuring the profession maintains a strong voice in Washington. Through structured discussions with fellow AI leaders and direct engagement with federal policymakers, participants play a role in shaping the future of the profession.
If you are looking to grow your leadership impact or if your chapter is committed to investing in its future leaders, this is the opportunity to act.
Registration deadline: Monday, April 24
For more information and registration details, click here.
Participants who register, pay in full, and attend both LDAC and the 2026 AI Annual Conference are eligible to receive a $100 rebate toward Annual Conference registration.
Participants who register, pay in full, and attend both LDAC and the 2026 AI Annual Conference are eligible to receive a $100 rebate toward Annual Conference registration.
Trending Topics Thursdays:
Sign up for our next free webinar
The Mortgage Modernization Push: What Washington Is Signaling on Valuation
April 23, 2026 11:00 CDT
What’s the policy direction and what are the early signals from FHFA, HUD/FHA, VA, CFPB, and the banking regulators? Our Government Relations team and outside lobbying consultants will provide a Washington rundown and translate it into practical impacts for valuation stakeholders.
Panelists:
Scott Dibiasio, Director, Government Affairs
Brian Rodgers, Senior Manager of Federal Affairs, Government Affairs
Advocacy Updates
Texas Foreign Ownership Law Raises Questions for Appraisers
A newly enacted Texas law, and the rules now proposed to implement it, are raising important compliance and practical questions for real estate appraisers across the state.
During the most recent legislative session, Texas enacted SB 17, a priority measure aimed at restricting or prohibiting certain foreign ownership of real property. The law targets entities and individuals connected to countries identified as national security concerns, including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. In response, the Texas Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has issued proposed rules, currently open for public comment, that outline how these restrictions would be enforced.
At the center of the proposal is a new obligation placed on “facilitating entities,” a broadly defined category that explicitly includes appraisers alongside lenders, title companies, insurers, and real estate professionals. Under the proposed rules, a facilitating entity that “knows or should have known, after reasonable due diligence,” that a real estate transaction violates the statute must submit a complaint to the OAG. Failure to do so could result in referral to the entity’s licensing or disciplinary authority.
While the intent of the law is clear, its application to appraisal practice is far less so.
Appraisers are now grappling with what “reasonable due diligence” means in the context of valuation assignments. In many cases, appraisers may not even have access to the identity of the purchaser. Even when buyer information is available, determining whether a transaction involves a prohibited foreign interest may require complex analysis of corporate ownership structures or an individual’s legal or immigration status, information that is often not readily accessible and may fall outside the scope of an appraiser’s assignment.
Moreover, appraisers must operate within the constraints of USPAP, which limits both the type of information they collect and how they interact with parties to a transaction. Expanding the appraiser’s role to include investigative responsibilities related to ownership eligibility could create tension with existing professional standards, while also introducing new liability risks.
Key questions remain:
- What constitutes “reasonable due diligence” for an appraiser?
- Are appraisers expected to independently verify ownership structures or foreign affiliations?
- How should appraisers proceed when relevant information is unavailable or unclear?
- Could failure to uncover complex ownership relationships be interpreted as noncompliance?
As regulators consider these issues, the outcome of this process could have significant implications, not only for compliance obligations, but also for the scope of appraisal practice itself. With the public comment deadline set for April 26, there remains an important opportunity for input to help ensure that any final rules are both practical and aligned with the realities of appraisal assignments, while preserving the independence and integrity of the profession.
Please reach out to Scott DiBiasio, Director of Government Affairs, at sdibiasio@appraisalinstitute.org if you'd like to comment on this proposal.
Member Moves and Media
Richard Seman, Jr., SRA, Explores Appraiser–Assessor Alignment
Richard Seman, Jr., SRA, in a New England Real Estate Journal article, “Are Appraisers on the Same Page as the Assessor?,” examines key differences between assessors and appraisers, including valuation methodologies, revaluation practices, and the assessment appeal process, offering practical insights to improve clarity and credibility in property tax valuations.
Jerod Byrd, MAI, Examines Philadelphia Lodging Market Recovery
Jerod Byrd, MAI, in a Hotel Online article, “Philadelphia Lodging Market: Post-Pandemic, Today, and Beyond,” explores the city’s recovery dynamics, including rising average daily rates, slower return of business and group travel.
Real Estate Horizons
Stay updated and check out links to the latest major real estate industry stories!
More Opportunities to Learn
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Until Next week
Team Appraisal Institute
