New Orleans Call for Proposals + State Legislative Update
Help Shape 2027's Key Conversations
What conversations should the appraisal profession be having next year? The Call for Session Proposals is now open for the 2027 Appraisal Institute Annual Conference, taking place April 26–28 in New Orleans. We're looking for sessions that challenge ideas, share practical solutions, and prepare appraisers for what's next, whether that's technical appraisal practice, business development, emerging trends, or a fresh perspective from outside the profession.
You don't have to be the speaker to submit an idea. If you know the right topic and the right person to present it, we'd love to have you send it our way.
Submit Your Proposal by September 12, 2026.
When Vertical Integration Tests Appraiser Independence
Builder incentives have become increasingly common as affordability pressures weigh on home sales, raising complex questions for appraisers analyzing concessions in vertically integrated transactions. When a builder, lender, and title company share an interest in closing the sale, disagreements over concession adjustments and appraiser panel decisions require careful, independent review. This article examines how lenders and appraisers can address those disputes while preserving accountability, credible market analysis, and appraiser independence.
AI Blog
Receiving a disciplinary complaint can be unsettling, even for an experienced appraiser. But a complaint is not a verdict.
In a new sponsored blog, LIA Administrators & Insurance Services shares practical guidance on navigating the disciplinary process, from notifying your E&O insurer and responding to investigators to organizing your workfile and understanding possible outcomes.
Read the sponsored blog for practical do’s and don’ts if a complaint comes your way.
Exlusive Opportunity
An exclusive webinar opportunity for Appraisal Institute members. Crexi will walk you through Crexi Intelligence: over 153 million properties, over 46 million broker-reported, county-verified sales comparables, leasing trends, loan data, and new AI market report capabilities with cited data.
Wed, Sep 16, 2026 11:00 AM CDT
Sign up for Our Next Free Webinar
State Legislative Developments Affecting Appraisers and Real Estate Valuation
Thu, Sep 17, 2026 11:00 AM CDT
State legislatures are considering a growing range of policies with direct implications for appraisers and appraisal practice. This webinar will examine Appraisal Institute–supported statutes of repose that would establish reasonable time limits on appraiser liability, foreign-ownership proposals that could place new responsibilities on appraisers, and other emerging state-level issues affecting the profession.
The session will also explore broader real estate legislation that appraisers should understand, including property assessment changes, rent-control measures, affordable housing initiatives, and other policies that could influence property values, market conditions, and appraisal assignments.
Speaker: Scott DiBiasio, Director of Government Affairs, Appraisal Institute
Appraisal Institute Urges Florida Board to Align Education Rules with National Criteria
The Appraisal Institute submitted comments to the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board on proposed amendments related to qualifying and continuing education requirements for valuation bias and fair housing laws and regulations. AI supports Florida’s prompt adoption of qualifying-education changes that incorporate the 2026 Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria, which took effect January 1, 2026, and include an eight-hour Valuation Bias and Fair Housing Laws and Regulations course. AI noted that adopting these changes is necessary to maintain Florida’s compliance with national appraiser qualification requirements.
At the same time, AI encouraged the Board to defer proposed continuing-education and inactive-renewal amendments until the Appraiser Qualifications Board completes its pending review of related continuing-education requirements. AI also urged the Board to withdraw proposed course-content limitations that could restrict access to AQB-approved education or require providers to create Florida-specific courses. AI emphasized its willingness to work with the Board and staff on rules that maintain compliance while preserving access to high-quality appraisal education.
AEI Reports Appraisal Waiver Use Fell to 19% in June
The combined Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac appraisal-waiver share declined from 28% in March to 19% in June, according to an updated AEI Housing Center report. Freddie Mac’s overall waiver rate fell from 31.7% to 19.8%, while Fannie Mae’s declined from 25% to 18.7%.
AEI attributes the decrease primarily to higher interest rates reducing no-cash-out refinance activity, where appraisal waivers remain most prevalent. The results varied for purchase loans: Freddie Mac’s purchase-waiver rate declined from 19.7% to 14.4%, while Fannie Mae’s increased from 12.1% to 13.9%.
Use of Fannie Mae’s Value Acceptance + Property Data option also increased. Its share of purchase loans rose from 2.7% in March to 3.4% in June, while its share of no-cash-out refinances increased from 2.8% to 3.8%. Approximately 9% of Fannie Mae purchase loans in the expanded 80% to 90% combined loan-to-value category used waivers, unchanged from March but up from approximately 2% in February 2025.
The findings show that overall waiver rates remain sensitive to interest rates and transaction mix, while purchase waivers and property-data alternatives continue to warrant separate attention.
Real Estate Horizons
Stay updated and check out links to the latest major real estate industry stories!
More Opportunities to Learn
Search the latest educational offerings! Find National and Chapter-sponsored classroom, synchronous, and online opportunities.
Your Community
Now Accepting Nominations for the George L. Schmutz Award
The George L. Schmutz Award is entering a new chapter.
The award recognizes an outstanding technical publication that advances the real estate valuation profession. Beginning with the 2026 award cycle, the Appraisal Institute is expanding the nomination process to invite members to nominate eligible publications from across the valuation profession, regardless of publisher.
If you've read a book that has made a meaningful contribution to valuation theory, methodology, or professional practice, we encourage you to submit a nomination.
Already eligible for consideration this year are The Valuation of Vineyards, Wineries, Breweries, and Distilleries by Byron B. Hinton, MAI, and Self-Storage Economics and Appraisal, Second Edition, by R. Christian Sonne, MAI.
Know another publication that deserves recognition? We'd love to hear about it.
Nominations close September 15, 2026.
Are You Ready to Make an AI Impact? The Call for 2027 Volunteers is Now Open!
The Appraisal Institute is now accepting submissions for 2027 national committee appointments. Whether you're a longtime volunteer, seeking reappointment, or looking to get involved for the first time, now is your opportunity to help shape the future of the Appraisal Institute.
To be considered for a 2027 national committee appointment, you must complete the Leadership Resource Registry (LRR) by September 16, 2026. If your current committee term ends on December 31, 2026, you must also complete the LRR to be considered for reappointment.
Here's how to get started:
- Complete the LRR. Select the volunteer leadership opportunities that interest you.
- Tell us about you. Use the "Additional Information" section to highlight your skills, experience, and interests.
- Update your AI member profile. Make sure your contact information and member profile are current.
Want to serve closer to home?
Explore volunteer leadership opportunities with your local AI chapter by contacting your chapter directly.
As the Appraisal Institute continues to evaluate its governance structure, some volunteer opportunities may evolve. Members are encouraged to complete the LRR based on their interests, and any changes will be communicated as the appointment process moves forward.
Appraisal Institute and Kaplan Expand Real Estate Education Opportunities
AI members now have a new way to broaden their professional knowledge through a partnership with Kaplan Real Estate Education. The agreement gives members access to Kaplan’s real estate sales education while introducing Kaplan students to Appraisal Institute appraisal education—creating new opportunities for professionals to build skills across complementary areas of real estate practice.