Appraisal Institute News | Appraisal Institute

Jan 23, 2019 12:30 PM

Fed Beige Book Shows Steady Activity in Most Districts

Economic activity increased in most of the U.S., with eight of 12 Fed districts reporting modest to moderate growth, the Federal Reserve reported Jan. 16 in its newest Beige Book. Home sales and construction remained relatively steady, with high prices and low inventory limiting sales. Commercial activity also was largely steady.

Jan 23, 2019 12:30 PM

Multifamily Market is Expected to Have Another Favorable Year, Freddie Mac Reports

The multifamily market is expected to remain healthy this year, with rent growth and vacancies outperforming historical averages, Freddie Mac reported Jan. 14 in its Multifamily 2019 Outlook. Multifamily origination volume is projected to be a record $317 billion, which exceeds last year’s $305 billion in originations.

Jan 16, 2019 12:30 PM

Economic Growth Expected to Moderate Through 2020: ABA

The pace of economic growth is expected to moderate through 2020, the American Bankers Association reported Jan. 9, citing data from its Economic Advisory Committee. The forecast shows economic growth at 2.1 percent this year and 1.7 percent in 2020, which would make the current expansion the longest in U.S. history.

Jan 16, 2019 12:30 PM

New York City's Iconic Chrysler Building On the Market

Investors interested in New York City commercial real estate can purchase the 1.26-million-square-foot Chrysler Building, Reuters reported Jan. 9. The current owners purchased the Art Deco icon in 2008 for $800 million, and hope to recoup their costs. The building’s occupancy rate is around 80 percent, below the city average.

Jan 16, 2019 12:30 PM

Reis Office Market Report Shows Steady Sector, Higher Rents and Strong Absorption

Vacancy rates in the office sector held steady during the fourth quarter while asking rents increased and absorption was strong, according to analytics firm Reis, MBA NewsLink reported Jan. 10. Construction also was strong, with inventory growing by 10.4 million square feet, up from 8.9 million square feet during the third quarter.

Jan 10, 2019 08:00 AM

Appraisal Institute to Enhance Focus on Residential Appraisers in 2019: Valuation Magazine

As residential appraisers face new concerns, the Appraisal Institute continues spending significant time and resources on the issues and challenges impacting valuation professionals, according to an article in Valuation magazine’s fourth quarter 2018 issue.

Jan 09, 2019 12:30 PM

AI Seeks Public Hearing on Appraisal Threshold Increase

The Appraisal Institute and 15 other organizations submitted a letter Dec. 21 to the Federal Reserve, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency requesting that they hold a public meeting as part of the process to determine whether to increase the residential appraisal threshold from $250,000 to $400,000.

Jan 09, 2019 12:30 PM

Senate Passes SBA Bills Increasing Appraisal Threshold

The Senate passed two pieces of legislation Dec. 19 that link the Small Business Administration's appraisal threshold to the threshold for commercial real estate as established by the federal bank regulatory agencies. Identical legislation passed the House in September.

Jan 09, 2019 12:30 PM

FEMA Brings Back Flood Insurance Policies During Lingering Government Shutdown

The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Jan. 4 that it will resume selling and renewing flood insurance policies, reversing its previous ruling that the National Flood Insurance Program couldn’t be renewed due to the government shutdown, HousingWire reported. Congress sought a three-month extension of the program, which FEMA initially rejected.

Dec 27, 2018 08:13 AM

Stephen Wagner to Become President of Appraisal Institute on Jan. 1

Stephen S. Wagner, MAI, SRA, AI-GRS, of West Lafayette, Indiana, will begin his one-year term as president of the Appraisal Institute on Jan. 1. The Appraisal Institute is the nation’s largest professional association of real estate appraisers with more than 18,000 professionals in nearly 50 countries.

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