Appraisal Institute News

Apr 01, 2020 12:30 PM

GSEs, Agencies Issue Coronavirus Guidance for Appraisers

The government-sponsored enterprises, agencies and other policymakers have all issued valuation guidance since March 23 to help clarify how appraisers can perform their work during the coronavirus pandemic, and all new guidance is available on the Appraisal Institute’s coronavirus page.

Apr 01, 2020 12:30 PM

AI Asks Governors, Mayors for "Stay-at-Home" Exemptions

The Appraisal Institute joined four other real estate organizations March 25 in asking state and local government leaders to include appraisers among “essential services” exempted from stay-at-home or shelter-in-place orders issued during the coronavirus pandemic.

Apr 01, 2020 12:30 PM

Coronavirus Like "Major Snowstorm," Not Economic Depression, Bernanke Believes

Former Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke thinks the effect of the economic slowdown caused by the coronavirus is akin to that of a “major snowstorm” rather than a depression, CNBC reported March 25. Bernanke cited the Great Depression lasting 12 years and being caused by monetary and financial problems, as opposed to a health crisis that should be short-lived.

Mar 25, 2020 12:30 PM

GSEs Ease Appraisal, Employment Verification Standards

The Federal Housing Finance Agency announced March 23 that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will ease standards for both property appraisals and employment verification in an effort to facilitate liquidity in the mortgage marketplace during the coronavirus outbreak, HousingWire reported. Specifically, the FHFA said appraisal alternatives will be used to prevent appraisers from having to inspect a home’s interior.

Mar 25, 2020 12:30 PM

AI Webinar Helps Appraisers Face Coronavirus Challenges

The Appraisal Institute announced March 24 that its free 90-minute webinar covering the latest appraisal developments on the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is now available on AI’s website and on its YouTube channel.

Mar 25, 2020 12:30 PM

FHFA Says Proposed GSE Capital Rules Delayed Until Late May Due to Coronavirus

Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Mark Calabria announced March 18 that the release of the capital proposal for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be delayed until the second half of May due to the coronavirus, HousingWire reported. Calabria said the efforts to combat the spread of the virus will complicate the feedback process.

Mar 18, 2020 12:30 PM

AI Issues Coronavirus-related Direction for Appraisers

The Appraisal Institute issued guidance cultivated from its Professional Practice staff on March 16 to help AI professionals and other real estate valuers serve their clients during the rapidly evolving global coronavirus pandemic.

Mar 18, 2020 12:30 PM

Commercial Real Estate Lenders Worried About Impact of FASB Rules on Borrowers

New rules from the Financial Accounting Standards Board that took effect in January have some commercial real estate lenders concerned about operational burdens and their possible impact on borrowers, National Real Estate Investor reported March 10. The new methodology requires lenders to calculate and recognize the lifetime expected loss of the loan at origination.

Mar 11, 2020 12:30 PM

Buyers Overpaid $34B for Homes in Flood Plains: Research

At least 3.8 million homes in the U.S. are in flood plains and may be overvalued by $34 billion, according to research released March 2 by the National Bureau of Economic Research, Bloomberg reported. The research revealed that markets don’t incorporate risks from flooding and climate-related disasters.

Mar 11, 2020 12:30 PM

Supreme Court Expected to Weaken CFPB, Not Shutter It

The Supreme Court signaled its plans to weaken the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, but not shutter the agency created in the wake of the financial crisis, CNBC reported March 3. The court heard oral arguments in a case questioning the agency’s constitutionality and the powers of its director.