Money Does Grow on Trees, After All
Every parent, myself included, who has uttered the immortal words “money doesn’t grow on trees” was dead wrong, at least when it comes to residential real estate.
Feds Target Bias in Home Appraisals
The real estate appraisal industry could be in for some significant changes as the Biden administration looks to make good on a campaign pledge to root out racial discrimination in the housing industry.
Biden Admin to Release Plan to Stop Bias in Home Appraisals
Vice President Kamala Harris will announce an action plan to stop racial discrimination in the appraisal of home values, according to senior Biden administration officials.
Private Equity Firm Takes Stake in Vision Government Solutions
Vision Government Solutions, the Hudson-based provider of property database software for many Massachusetts municipalities, has received a “strategic majority investment” from a Colorado private equity firm.
Appraisers, Inspectors Face Different Challenges in a COVID-19 World
If you are intent on buying a home during the pandemic, obtaining an appraisal shouldn’t stand in your way. But procuring a home inspection may be another question.
Appraisers Struggle with Safety Concerns Amid Outbreak
Massachusetts’ housing appraisers are concerned inaction by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is leaving them – and homebuyers – vulnerable to the coronavirus.
Fewer Appraisals Are Mandated, But They’re Still a Good Idea
Some homebuyers are about to catch a break, courtesy of the Federal Reserve Board and other banking regulators.
Federal Rule Change Could Boost CRE Lending
A recent change in federal regulation could spur more commercial real estate lending at smaller banks.
Feds Ease Commercial Lending Appraisal Rules
Commercial investors will get more flexibility and save money on small-ticket transactions now that federal regulators have increased the threshold requiring an independent third-party appraisal.
Federal Reserve, OCC, FDIC Issue Final Rule on CRE Transactions Requiring Appraisal
The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency issued a final rule that increases the threshold for commercial real estate transactions requiring an appraisal from $250,000 to $500,000.
GSEs Waive Requirement For On-Site Appraisals On Certain Loans
Both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have begun waiving on-site appraisals on a relatively small number of qualifying mortgages this summer, and instead are now relying on data they already have, along with publicly available data, to determine the market value of a property.
Are Home Appraisals Always Necessary?
Do we always need an appraiser to tell us what a house is worth? The two biggest sources of mortgage financing in the country – Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae – think not.
This Week’s Newspaper
