The Advocacy Issues Shaping Your Future
By Appraisal Institute
Throughout our lives there is a sense of comfort that comes from knowing that someone has our back, that someone is looking out for our best interests. Whether it’s a supportive manager, a trusted teacher, or a parent, having someone in your corner that will stand up both with and for you provides a sense of security and strength that allows you to reach higher, strive further, and achieve more. This isn’t to say that being the lone wolf can’t lead to success, but when humans work together, not even the gravitational shackles of this blue marble hurtling through space can hold us back. We all need someone that believes in what we are doing and looks out for our best interests. An advocate.
This is a core element of what the Appraisal Institute offers to its members: support on all important matters through advocacy in areas and levels where direct action can be taken. Decisions and standards determined at the local, state, and federal levels shape the most critical elements of appraisers’ professional lives, such as how they are licensed, how they are compensated, their legal risk, and the weight their professional judgment carries against the rising tide of automated alternatives. Having advocates dedicated to tracking, interpreting, addressing, and conveying the ever-changing complexities in this field means appraisers can perform their jobs with confidence.
The session, “Residential Regulatory and Legislative Outlook” will look at the current landscape of policies directly affecting residential appraisers such as the consumer transparency in appraisal management company fees, reconsideration of value proposals, appraisal requirements of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and unfounded claims of bias in the appraisal process. This session will summarize the direction Appraisal Institute advocacy efforts are moving in and how they will translate to day-to-day appraisal practice.
The session “Commercial Legislative and Regulatory Update” will focus on some of the specific challenges facing commercial appraisers, like modernizing appraisal licensing processes, statutes of limitations, and the risks that accompany housing policies spilling over into the commercial market, to name a few. In this session, you can expect to hear how advocacy efforts are protecting due process, clarifying appraisers’ responsibilities, and ensuring that valuation activities continue to be directed to properly accredited professionals.
These two sessions will be led by Scott DiBiasio, Brian Rodgers, and Deborah Clark, MAI, Chair of the 2026 Government Relations Committee who each bring with them direct experience in dealing with Congress, specific federal agencies, state and municipal regulators, and standards bodies. They will be sharing with you information that comes from actual experience, not knowledge born from theory, with the purpose of providing clarity and insight into where both specific fields are heading and how the Appraisal Institute is working to be the advocates you need and want in your corner.
*These sessions are expected to count towards CE credit.
Join our speakers Scott, Brian, and Deborah at the Appraisal Institute’s 2026 Annual Conference to learn more. Register today.