Texas Foreign Ownership Rules + a Year of CE for $500
In this issue:
- AI urges Texas to keep appraisers out of foreign ownership reporting rules
- Renew your 2027 dues and add a full year of on-demand CE for $500
- Nominations are open for the 2027 AI Awards and Volunteers of Distinction
Appraisal Institute Urges Texas to Exclude Appraisers from Foreign Ownership Rules
The Appraisal Institute submitted comments on November 6 to the Texas Office of the Attorney General opposing provisions of proposed regulations implementing Senate Bill 17, which restricts certain foreign ownership of real property.
The proposed rules would classify appraisers as “facilitating entities,” potentially requiring them to investigate purchasers' citizenship and ownership interests and report suspected violations. The Institute emphasized that appraisers provide independent opinions of value and are neither responsible for nor equipped to determine the legal eligibility of property purchasers.
The Institute urged Texas officials to exclude appraisers from the regulations or, alternatively, limit reporting obligations to violations of which appraisers have actual knowledge. The comments also raised concerns about appraisal independence, fair housing compliance, potential disciplinary liability, and unnecessary regulatory burdens on small appraisal businesses.
The Appraisal Institute will continue to vigorously advocate against regulatory requirements that improperly expand appraisers' responsibilities beyond valuation services. The Institute remains committed to protecting appraisal independence, preventing unnecessary regulatory burdens, and ensuring that appraisers are not subjected to investigative obligations or professional liability for matters outside their expertise and control. The Institute will work with Texas officials to ensure the final regulations appropriately recognize and respect the appraiser's role in real estate transactions.
Chicago Chapter Meets with Rep. Sean Casten
The Appraisal Institute’s Chicago Chapter recently welcomed U.S. Rep. Sean Casten of Illinois to a meeting of its Board of Directors. The discussion covered issues facing the valuation profession, including the Portal for Appraisal Licensing Act (PAL Act), which would streamline licensing and reduce administrative burdens for appraisers. Rep. Casten serves on the House Financial Services Committee.
Meetings like this help lawmakers see the role appraisers play in protecting consumers, lenders, and the real estate market. The chapter thanks Rep. Casten for his time and his interest in the profession.
Appraisal Institute Leads Coalition Response to FHA Property Standards Proposal
The Appraisal Institute led a coalition of appraisal organizations in responding to FHA’s proposed updates to its Minimum Property Requirements, which seek to more closely align FHA standards with those of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
The coalition supported clearer, more consistent requirements while urging FHA to preserve protections reflecting the distinct risks of its mortgage insurance program. The letter also called for clearer appraiser observation responsibilities, removal of requirements that create unnecessary safety risks, and practical guidance on condition ratings to protect appraiser independence and promote consistent implementation
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Judgment Call: Validation and QC for AI-Assisted Appraisals
Generative AI can speed up an appraisal, but it can’t tell you when it’s wrong. In Session 5 of AI on AI: Season 2, Rodman Schley, MAI, SRA, shows why methodology matters more with AI and walks through practical ways to validate AI output and build QC checks into your workflow. Join us live Tuesday, November 17, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM CT.
The Lum Library – Your Home for the Information You Need
When is the last time you researched something for a report? It may have been last Friday or an hour ago.
In addition to Appraisal Institute-published content, the Lum Library provides you access to the business research service from EBSCO, providing full text from journals, magazines, trade publications, research reports, and more. And now, EBSCO has added new features to make your life easier, including:
- Pick up where you left off via “save search”
- Stay on top of the latest news with an email alert for new releases on topics of interest
- Read anywhere by downloading books to view offline
- Keep your past discoveries through a “search history” log
The Lum Library provides you useful resources at your fingertips.
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
Nominate a Colleague for a 2027 AI Award
Know someone who has made a real mark on the profession? Nominations for the 2027 Appraisal Institute Awards are open through 12:00 PM CT on Tuesday, December 1. Honorees will be recognized at the 2027 Annual Conference, April 26–28 in New Orleans.
Awards open for nomination:
- J. Scott Robinson Lifetime Achievement Award
- Outstanding Service Award
- William S. Harps DEI Award
- Women's Initiative SPOTLIGHT Award
Know a Volunteer Who Goes Above and Beyond?
Behind every chapter event, committee meeting, and mentoring moment is a volunteer who makes it happen. Volunteers of Distinction honors members for outstanding service to their chapter and community, the Appraisal Institute, or the appraisal profession. Any member in good standing can be nominated by a peer, and Q4 nominations are open through December 12. When you nominate, share specific examples of the nominee’s contributions in each area.
Until next time,
Appraisal Institute