Appraisal Institute News | Appraisal Institute

Disney Alleges 'Excessive' Property Tax Assessments

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts filed suit over "excessive" 2016 property tax assessments, alleging that the appraiser's assessment of Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Hollywood Studios exceeded the properties' fair market value and incorrectly included the value of some intangible property, the Orlando Sentinel reported June 13.

Jun 14, 2017 12:30 PM

Fannie Mae Eases Debt-to-Income Requirement

Fannie Mae announced June 6 that it will ease its debt-to-income requirements, raising the ceiling from 45 percent to 50 percent starting July 29, a move that's expected to make it easier for more individuals — particularly millennials with significant student loan debt — to qualify for a mortgage.

Jun 14, 2017 12:30 PM

CRE Prices Return to Post-election Slump, Report Shows

Commercial property prices declined 10 basis points in May, marking a return to the market flattening the CRE sector experienced immediately following November's presidential election, according to online commercial real estate broker Ten-X, MBA NewsLink reported June 8.

Jun 14, 2017 12:30 PM

Report Shows May CMBS Issuance Up, Delinquencies Down

Commercial mortgage-backed securities issuance increased in May while the delinquency rate dropped, according to analytics firm Trepp and the Kroll Bond Rating Agency, MBA NewsLink reported June 7. May CMBS issuance was $8.1 billion — more than double April's $3.7 billion — bringing its year-to-date total to $24.3 billion.

May 31, 2017 12:30 PM

Fiduciary Rule Excluding Appraisals Takes Effect Soon

Major parts of the U.S. Department of Labor's fiduciary rule will take effect June 9, Investment News reported May 23. While the final rule excludes appraisals and fairness opinions, as requested by the Appraisal Institute, the DOL said it would address those issues later, but did not provide specifics.

May 31, 2017 12:30 PM

AI Expresses Concern about Possible Appraisal Waivers

The Appraisal Institute was one of several organizations that met with officials from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac on May 23 to discuss concerns about initiatives under consideration that would waive appraisals in purchase and refinance loan transactions. AI followed up its meeting with a letter to the government-sponsored enterprises reiterating its position against the waiver.

May 31, 2017 12:30 PM

Trump Budget Seeks Significant CFPB Funding Cuts

President Trump's proposed budget released May 23 calls for significant cuts to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and shifts appropriations from the Federal Reserve to Congress, HousingWire reported. The budget includes a $145 million cut to the CFPB next year, with cuts rising to more than $700 million by 2021.

May 24, 2017 11:30 PM

Dodd-Frank Overhaul Is Unlikely, McConnell Says

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told Bloomberg News May 16 that Congress is unlikely to make major changes to the Dodd-Frank Act due to lack of support from Democrats. McConnell specifically cited the need to help community banks because he believes they are unduly harmed by the legislation.

May 24, 2017 11:30 PM

More Banks Restrict CRE Lending, Fed Reports

Banks have tightened most credit policies on commercial real estate loans over the past year, the Federal Reserve reported May 12 in its Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey on Bank Lending Practices, MBA NewsLink reported. Reasons cited for the tightening include uncertainty over CRE property prices, cap rates and vacancy rates.

May 24, 2017 12:30 PM

Freddie Mac Reports Strong Multifamily Fundamentals

Multifamily fundamentals remain strong, showing an annual increase in eight of the 14 major metropolitan markets that Freddie Mac tracks in its Multifamily Apartment Investment Market Index, which was updated May 16. Markets with the biggest index gains were Washington, D.C.; Atlanta; and Houston.

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