Appraisal Institute News | Appraisal Institute

Dec 12, 2018 12:30 PM

Some Economists See Looming Recession, but Goldman Sachs Says No

Goldman Sachs sees only a 30 percent chance of a recession by 2020, the opposite of what other economists have been predicting, HousingWire reported Dec. 4. Goldman Sachs noted the biggest concerns focus on tariffs, labor inflation and pressure on margins and higher rates.

Dec 12, 2018 12:30 PM

CRE in Urban Areas Benefits from Incentive Programs, State Agencies Say

Multifamily housing and commercial real estate in large urban areas are the primary beneficiaries of capital raised through Opportunity Zone incentive programs aimed at boosting investment in needy areas, according to the National Council of State Housing Agencies, MarketWatch reported Dec. 3.

Dec 05, 2018 12:30 PM

AI Joins 17 Groups Opposing Proposed Credit Union Administration Action

The Appraisal Institute on Dec. 4 joined 17 other organizations in strongly opposing the National Credit Union Administration’s proposal to quadruple – from $250,000 to $1 million – the appraisal threshold for non-residential loans. AI said the threshold increase would drastically increase the number of non-residential real estate loans that would not require an appraisal.

Dec 05, 2018 12:30 PM

AI and Land Trust Alliance Support Conservation Easement Legislation

The Appraisal Institute and the Land Trust Alliance co-signed a letter Nov. 29 urging congressional leaders to advance the Charitable Conservation Easement Program Integrity Act, which would help maintain the integrity of conservation easement donations by closing an apparent loophole related to abusive syndicated tax shelters.

Dec 05, 2018 12:30 PM

Massachusetts Supreme Court Rules on Applicability of Appraiser Bias

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court on Nov. 26 ruled that the prohibition on appraiser bias contained in the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice and the Appraisal Institute’s Code of Ethics and Certification Standard, or the appearance of bias, applies only to individuals and not to an appraiser’s employer.

Nov 28, 2018 12:30 PM

US Economy to Show Significant Drop Next Year, Goldman Sachs Predicts

Goldman Sachs expects the U.S. economy to slow in 2019, CNBC reported Nov. 19. The investment firm anticipates first quarter growth at 2.5 percent, but slowing to just 1.6 percent by the fourth quarter. However, the firm noted that the signs of a pending recession — overheating market and financial imbalances — haven’t materialized.

Nov 28, 2018 12:30 PM

FDIC Proposes 9 Percent Leverage Ratio for Basel III Exemption Limit

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation voted Nov. 20 to propose that community banks with a minimum leverage capital ratio of 9 percent automatically be deemed in compliance with mandated Basel III capital requirements of between 8 and 10 percent, ABA Banking Journal reported. FDIC also proposed exempting those institutions from complicated Basel III calculations.

Nov 28, 2018 12:30 PM

Multifamily Originations Down: MBA

Commercial and multifamily originations during the third quarter decreased 3 percent from the second quarter, with the greatest declines in the health care and retail sectors, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association, Mortgage Professional America reported Nov 20. Originations increased for multifamily and industrial properties.

Nov 21, 2018 12:30 PM

Appraisal Institute Encourages FHA to Strengthen HECM Appraisal Program

The Appraisal Institute on Nov. 20 submitted a letter to Federal Housing Administration Commissioner Brian Montgomery in response to the FHA’s requirement in certain situations of a second appraisal for its Home Equity Conversion Mortgage program, asking that the FHA reevaluate eligibility requirements for placement on the FHA Appraiser Roster.

Nov 21, 2018 12:30 PM

AI Strongly Rejects Proposed Residential Appraisal Threshold Increase

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve on Nov. 20 released a proposal to increase the threshold at which residential home sales require an appraisal to $400,000 from $250,000.

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