News By Edition

Attorney Peter Christensen, owner of Christensen Law Firm, addressed an Illinois bill (HB 5862) to amend the state’s appraiser and real estate licensing acts to address discrimination.

Valuation Review reached out to Christensen, who shared key points of his article, including, that complaints alleging unlawful discrimination are emerging in the courts and before regulators in relation to appraisals.

Read on to find out more of what Christensen shared with us.

Valuation Review sat down with CoreLogic Chief Appraiser Shawn Telford, who discussed the many things appraisers must take note of.

He also emphasized what appraisers should do when making key value decisions in a market greatly affected by COVID-19, in addition to the proper utilization of technology and data.

Read on for more of our conversation with Telford.

Appraisal Subcommittee (ASC) Executive Director Jim Park gave an industry update to conference attendees at this year’s virtual Appraisal Summit.

Park attempted to clear up any confusion the profession may have regarding the workings of the appraisal regulatory system.

Read on for more updates appraisers should know about from the ASC.

Tampa-based mortgage lender LoanFlight Lending has been named one of the region’s fastest-growing companies by the Tampa Bay Business Journal on its Fast 50 list, according to a company release. Read on to learn more.

At the 2020 Appraisal Summit virtual conference, Fannie Mae Director of Valuation Quality/SF Collateral Risk Rachel Beam-Jares shared her thoughts on the appraisal profession.

In particular, the important topics of diversity and bias, and what steps can be taken for improvement were addressed.

Read on for more of Beam-Jares’ insight, as well as what recruiting steps are being taken to draw more individuals toward a career in valuation.

Reggora recently announced the addition of two new members to its leadership team, the company stated in a press release. Read on to find out who the new hires are.

BBG announced Clayton Belger will assume the role of director in the firm’s Jacksonville office, according to a release from BBG.

Belger’s elevation to his new role will leverage his leadership and client-centric work ethic, further expanding BBG’s exposure in central and north Florida and South Georgia, the company said.

As the COVID-19 coronavirus remains a major concern for all Americans, many homeowners ponder the question of just where can we live? Where can we feel safe if that’s even possible? The personal-finance website WalletHub may have helped answer those questions by releasing its report on 2020’s Safest Cities in America. Read on to learn more.

Walker and Dunlop, Inc., one of the largest providers of capital to the multifamily industry and the largest Fannie Mae DUS lender in 2019, commented on the Federal Housing Finance Agency's  recent announcement of the 2021 multifamily lending caps for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Read on to learn more.

Freddie Mac released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey. Read on to find out the results.

Home prices increased 7.3 percent during October on a year-over-year basis, according to CoreLogic’s latest Home Price Index (HPI).

CoreLogic executives weighed in with their perspectives on the latest from the company's HPPI.

Read on for more numbers from this report that reflects momentous figures.

Veterans trying to buy homes using their VA loan recently received a small boost from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), but it wasn't near enough, according to a release from SoCal VA Homes. In late November each year, the FHFA sets the new conforming loan limit for the coming year. Read on to learn more.

Mortech, a Zillow Group business which provides technology solutions for mortgage professionals, continues to onboard additional mortgage marketplace partners including Mortgage Research Center and Roofstock, according to a press release. Read on to learn more.

Iron Solutions, Inc. has launched a mobile application for its IronGuides system that extends its equipment valuation tools to convenient field and other locations to better serve its agriculture and outdoor power equipment dealers. Read on to learn more.

ValueScape recently revealed that its Artificial Intelligence Data Augmentation Algorithm (AIDA) has exceeded its 2020 milestone of auditing four million interior and exterior property images contained in reports used for collateral risk assessment, the company announced in a release. Read on to learn more.  

Valuation Review caught up with CoreLogic Chief Economist Frank Nothaft.

He discussed perceived challenges facing the appraisal industry as a result of COVID-19, while also sharing his ideas from his virtual presentation at this year’s Appraisal Summit regarding what the market will look like for appraisers and consumers in 2021.

Read on to learn more.

There is proposed legislation to address appraisal discrimination.

According to a 2018 report from the Brookings Institution, owner-occupied homes in majority-black neighborhoods are undervalued by $48,000 per home on average, amounting to a cumulative loss of $156 billion nationwide.

Read on to learn more.

There is another key acquisition within the appraisal community.

BBG recently completed the acquisition of Nava Hurd Advisory Group, a combination of Brekan Nava Group, a Tempe, Ariz.-based commercial real estate appraisal firm, and Paradise Valley, Ariz.-based appraisal firm Hurd and Associates.

Read on to learn more.

ValueScape has joined NVIDIA Inception, a program designed to nurture startups revolutionizing industries with advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and data sciences. Read on to learn more.

LoanMonkey and Valligent Technologies have partnered to provide the Valligent Virtual Appraisal to LoanMonkey’s borrower clients. Read on to learn more.

My-Down Payment Assistance, a top provider of down payment assistance programs based in Sacramento, Calif., announced its new first-time home buyers’ programs that will be offered in 2021. Read on to learn more.

Valuation Review shares the comments and insights from the Appraisal Institute’s (AI) President Rodman Schley.

Schley conveyed his thoughts on a few critical issues facing the profession during the New Year, including diversity and discrimination.

Read on for more from the AI-elected official.

Dustin Harris, “The Appraiser Coach,” recently outlined specifics for appraisers to refine themselves, and their appraisal businesses.

His name for this particular method is unique, to say the least.

Read on to find out what Harris’ tool is, and how it could change the way you look at things personally and professionally en route to building your business.

Low rates of household formation since the Great Recession have caused 5.7 million “missing” households, according to the latest Zillow analysis.

These missing households represent people who historically would have moved into their own home but have been unable or unwilling to do so.  

Read on to learn more.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) recently issued a request for input on appraisal-related policies, practices, and processes, the FHFA announced in a release. Read on to find out more about these requested practices.

A global pandemic and incredibly low interest rates were just two of the events that made 2020 a year unlike any other in the mortgage industry’s history, according to the latest Insights Report from mortgage advisory firm STRATMOR Group. Read on to learn more. 

Walker and Dunlop, Inc. and GeoPhy announced that their multifamily appraisal business, Apprise, has hired senior directors to bolster the company’s overall efforts. Read on to find out the identity of these two hires.

Debra McGuire has been selected as the new executive director of the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO). McGuire joined the IAAO on Jan. 4. Read on to learn more.

Dart Appraisal has acquired USAMC, a nationwide appraisal management company based near Atlanta, Ga. 

The acquisition accelerates Dart’s overall growth strategy and builds upon the previous acquisition of Atlanta-based Valuation Management Group in 2018.

Read on to learn more.

More than one-third of consumers who recently bought, sold or refinanced homes expressed a willingness to use self-serve technology in the home inspection process.

Most of the consumers polled said they believed it would be faster, according to a national consumer survey commissioned by ServiceLink.

Read on for more from the survey.

The latest CoreLogic Loan Performance Insights report analyses mortgage performance through September 2020.  

CoreLogic said homeowners are seeing a “double reduction” in risk.

Evolve Mortgage Services has acquired the appraisal platform assets of Veptas Technology Solutions Inc., the company announced. Evolve said the acquisition will help it offset the severe shortage of mortgage underwriters that has been created by the current refinance cycle. Read on to learn more.

Clear Capital has expanded its valuation offerings to lenders by making ClearAVM available through the Ellie Mae Digital Lending Platform, the company announced. Read on to learn more.

Cushman and Wakefield recently hired a chief diversity officer. Read on for more information.

Valuation Review wanted to hear what an appraiser or an appraisal organization may hope to find in its holiday stocking this year.

We reached out to several people who shared with us the best presents to receive this year.

Read on to find out who is requesting what from Santa Claus.

CoreLogic Chief Appraiser Shawn Telford returns to share thoughts about appraiser relevancy.

He also included the understanding that appraisers are critical components when it comes to overall perspective when determining value.

Read on for more insights from the chief appraiser.

In anticipation of growing needs related to distressed commercial properties impacted by COVID-19, Valbridge Property Advisors announced a new collaboration.

The company will join forced with NAI Global, a global commercial real estate brokerage firm that completes more than $20 billion in commercial real estate transactions yearly. 

Read on to learn more.

According to a recent national survey commissioned by Solidifi, three out of five borrowers want a more digital experience, yet a very high percentage of borrowers suggest a more personal exchange is desired. Read on to learn more.

Nations Lending added a new branch in Western Pennsylvania. The company’s new branch in Cranberry Township will be led by industry veteran Anthony Gennuso and opens the Pittsburgh market for the company. Read on to learn more.

Hospitality Ventures Management Group, an Atlanta-based, private hotel investment, ownership and management company, ramped up its Real Estate Owned (REO) management and receivership activity with the addition of two foreclosed IHG franchised hotels in Killeen, Texas, the company announced in a release. Read on to learn more.

The Appraisal Subcommittee (ASC) brings more awareness to the need for assistance within the profession.

The ASC demonstrated as much with recent help and guidance to the Appraiser Qualifications Board.

Read on for more and hear additional updates from the ASC’s Jim Park.

There is another key appraisal company addition.

The LRES Corp., which in addition to real estate appraisal services handles commercial trustee matters, has welcomed a new team member.  

Read on to find out who will be joining LRES.

Mortgage technology provider SharperLending said the El Paso Area Teacher’s Federal Credit Union has selected its Appraisal Firewall Verisite mobile property inspection solution as the primary platform for gathering collateral valuation data for its construction, Texas equity lending, and home improvement loan programs, the company announced in a release. Read on to learn more.

Cherry Creek Mortgage, a nationwide, full-service mortgage lender, announced a change in ownership and a reorganization of its corporate structure to better support the company’s continued growth, the company said in a release. Read on to learn more.