Industry News | Appraisal Institute

Dec 19, 2018 12:30 PM

Department of Veterans Affairs Drops Fannie Mae Form 1004MC Requirement

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced Dec. 11 that, effective immediately, it will no longer require appraisers to include Fannie Mae Form 1004MC in VA appraisal reports. However, appraisers still are responsible for analyzing and accurately reporting market conditions.

Sep 26, 2018 12:30 PM

House Passes Legislation Raising Threshold Levels for SBA Loan Programs

The U.S. House of Representatives on Sept. 25 approved HR 6347 and HR 6348, legislation the Appraisal Institute says will put taxpayers at significant risk by virtually eliminating appraisal requirements for the Small Business Administration’s two largest loan programs. AI had submitted a letter urging the House to vote against the legislation.

Sep 26, 2018 12:30 PM

US Economic Growth to Halt in 2020, Wall Street Journal Survey Shows

Fifty-nine percent of economists responding to a Wall Street Journal survey said they believe the U.S. economy will stop expanding in 2020, HousingWire reported Sept. 18. Sixty-two percent of respondents said the most likely cause of the next downturn would be an overheated economy that leads to increased Fed tightening.

Sep 26, 2018 12:30 PM

Investors Expect Senior Housing Market to Remain Strong, CBRE Reports

Nearly two-thirds of real estate investors said they are planning to add more senior housing to their portfolios, and interest in independent living properties is especially high, according to commercial real estate company CBRE, MBA NewsLink reported Sept. 17. The senior housing vacancy rate is hovering around 9 percent.

Jun 20, 2018 12:30 PM

Fed Sees Strong Economy and Raises Rates, Drops Crisis-era Policies

The Federal Reserve on June 13 increased interest rates a quarter of a percentage point, indicating it would tolerate inflation above 2 percent and was dropping crisis-era guidance, Reuters reported. Low unemployment and inflation were key factors in the decision.

Jun 20, 2018 12:30 PM

Ohio Enacts Law Establishing AMC Oversight and Certification

Ohio Gov. John Kasich on June 14 signed Substitute House Bill 213, legislation that establishes the state's appraisal management company licensing and oversight program and makes minor changes to the state's existing appraiser licensing and certification law.

Jun 20, 2018 12:30 PM

Treasury, IRS Select Final 'Opportunity Zones' for Tax Incentive Program

The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the IRS announced June 13 that they have selected Opportunity Zones in all 50 states and the District of Columbia; the Opportunity Zones program provides federal tax incentives to spur investment in distressed communities. Nearly 35 million people live in the selected zones.

Jun 13, 2018 12:30 PM

Half of US Housing Markets are 'Overvalued,' CoreLogic Reports

More than half the nation's largest housing markets were overvalued in April, meaning home prices have topped long-term, sustainable levels, according to analytics firm CoreLogic, CNBC reported June 5.

Jun 13, 2018 12:30 PM

FHFA Report to Congress Reveals Significantly Lower GSE Income

The Federal Housing Finance Agency on May 23 released its 2017 Report to Congress, revealing net income drops for the government-sponsored enterprises, mainly due to one-time tax provision expenses. Freddie Mac annual net income was down 28.2 percent for the year while Fannie Mae was down 79.6 percent.

Jun 13, 2018 12:30 PM

CFPB Scraps 3 Advisory Boards

Mick Mulvaney, acting director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, on June 6 eliminated three CFPB advisory boards, HousingWire reported. Mulvaney disbanded the Consumer Advisory Board, the Community Bank Advisory Council and the Credit Union Advisory Council, as part of an overall agency restructuring.