By KIMBERLEY HAAS
The question of whether technology alone can eliminate racial bias during the home appraisal process came up during a hearing held in Washington, DC, on Wednesday.
The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council’s Appraisal Subcommittee was holding its third public hearing when the topic was discussed.
Member JeanMarie Mattingly, who serves as deputy director of credit union resources and expansion, was asking questions of the panelists offering testimony. She started by asking about the work Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae are doing to monitor and assess appraisal reports for indications of bias.
Danny Wiley, senior director of single-family valuation at Freddie Mac, said they have an entire team focused on appraisal quality monitoring.
“We see problematic words in…
By SCOTT KIMBLER
As officials work to address racial bias in home valuations, leaders at a public policy think tank in Washington, DC, are saying recent recommendations made by a federal task force miss the mark.
The Interagency Task Force on Property Appraisal and Valuation Equity, or PAVE for short, was created in June of 2021 to tackle the problem of racial and ethnic bias in home valuations. Comprised of 13 federal agencies and offices, it is co-led by officials at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the White House Domestic Policy Council.
In March of 2022, the PAVE Action Plan was released, and this past June the Biden-Harris administration announced a set of actions to deliver…
By KIMBERLEY HAAS
Officials at the Federal Housing Finance Agency say racial and ethnic valuation gaps in home appraisals are being reduced in a majority of states.
According to a blog published Tuesday, “Although an appraisal valuation gap continues to exist between white and minority population tracts, data indicate a reduced gap following actions by stakeholders and federal, state, and local agencies, including the release of the PAVE Action Plan.”
The federal Interagency Task Force on Property Appraisal and Valuation Equity was created in June of 2021 to tackle the problem of racial and ethnic bias in home valuations. It is comprised of 13 federal agencies and offices and is co-led by officials at the U.S. Department of Housing and…
Good Morning! Today is Thursday, March 24. Madeleine Albright has died of cancer at age 84. President Biden landed in Brussels for three back-to-back meetings with G7 leaders, NATO allies, and the European Union. The Mortgage Note Reports Biden-Harris Tackle Equity In Lending And Appraisals: Vice President Kamala Harris joined officials from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on Wednesday to announce the delivery of a plan aimed squarely at dismantling racial bias in the lending and appraisal process. New Home Sales: New home sales dropped in February for a second month, suggesting buyers are taking a step back thanks to high prices and rising mortgage rates. Housing Predictions: A panel of housing experts surveyed by Zillow said they don’t expect inventory or first-time…
By KIMBERLEY HAAS Vice President Kamala Harris joined officials from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on Wednesday to announce the delivery of a plan designed to dismantle racial bias in the home lending and appraisal process. The Interagency Task Force on Property Appraisal and Valuation Equity (PAVE) Action Plan submitted to President Joe Biden will, when enacted, represent the most wide-ranging set of reforms ever put forward to advance equity in the home appraisal process, according to a press release. During her speech, Harris described how a home ensures future financial security and peace of mind for families. “Imagine a young couple that saves enough money to put a down payment on a home. The day they…
United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM) is launching an in-house appraisal service, giving its brokers an alternative to appraisal management companies (AMC) starting October 1. The program gives UWM the ability to handle the appraisal on its own by contracting directly with appraisers. UWM CEO Mat Ishbia said AMCs are “middlemen” that cause unnecessary delays in the lending process. “We understand how important it is for independent mortgage brokers to get a fast and efficient appraisal on their borrowers’ home,” Ishbia said. “This new team will be using state of the art technology, making it faster and easier, so brokers and borrowers can get the elite client service they deserve and expect from UWM.” AMCs are regulated by state agencies and are required…
By Jennifer A. Chiongbian The Federal Housing Finance Agency announced last month that it is soliciting public comment on ways to modernize the home appraisal process and make it go more smoothly for everyone involved. In the meantime, there are steps homeowners and buyers can take to make appraisals as painless as possible. What is an appraisal? First off, a home appraisal inspection is not the same as a home inspection. The appraiser works for the bank and the home inspector works for you. The appraiser provides a valuation for the home. The home inspector inspects for structural anomalies, such as electrical, foundational, roofing or window repair issues. A homeowner looking to sell their house in the near future would…
The appraisal process may be headed for a makeover. The Federal Housing Finance Agency on Monday requested input on potential changes to “appraisal-related policies, practices and processes.” FHFA will take the input and decide if changes need to be made to ensure Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are operating properly when it comes to appraisals. FHFA is seeking input on: Appraisal modernization.The Uniform Appraisal Dataset (UAD) and the design of appraisal forms.Automated Valuation Models (AVMs) and appraisal waivers.Valuation differences by borrower and neighborhood ethnic makeup. “Modernizing the appraisal process has the potential to create a more streamlined and accurate collateral valuation process. But if modernization is not properly adopted, it could have negative unintended consequences,” FHFA Director Mark Calabria said.…
