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Freddie Mac Research - Appraisals

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The problem I have with most of this discussion (especially the ASC Fall Roundtable) is the bias issue is predetermined by people who have zero appraisal methodology knowledge and the predetermined conclusions aren't challenged by anyone in our industry because they don't want to be run over by the politics of it (can't say I blame them).

Not long ago the hot topic was gentrification, minorities were being priced out of majority minority neighborhoods. Now the complaint is values aren't high enough in those neighborhoods. None of this stuff happens in a vacuum. Nearly all buyers require financing and they buy what they can afford. If there isn't a corresponding raise in wages we'll be back to the gentrification issues all over again. In short, if minorities are priced out of minority neighborhoods due to changes in appraisal methodology how is that helping?

I have no doubt we're in for big change sooner than later. And I called this from the beginning: The first shot in the war to change how residential appraisers value property will be through PAREA. Several national AMCs are developing their PAREA education and actively recruiting mentors. PAREA was mentioned in the *ASC roundtable discussion, mentioned in several other similar discussions, mentioned in several chief appraiser blog posts, etc. This will be a win-win for AMCs. Cloaked in a social justice costume they will be able to staff with newly minted PAREA drones who know only what they were trained to know. Jump neighborhoods for value, base value on cost, done - whatever it takes to satisfy the issue de-jure.

In all honesty, I'm not sure we can get out of the way of this train. With AMCs dominating the market via market share, the only way we can slow it down is to rally for a VA style system. In that way staff appraisers will have to wait for orders like indie appraisers. That will all but put a stop to staff since AMCs will not be able to capture lender clients and assign multiple reports a day to their staff. As much as I would love to see this, it isn't going to happen. To many billion dollar companies hired people for influence, we're all but cooked.

*It was mentioned that 12 states have adopted PAREA (I'm not sure if that's accurate), but here's the big kicker - the idea of federal standards or forcing states to adopt PAREA was discussed. Given the big sticks in the conversation I wouldn't dismiss the idea and how serious they are in their belief that appraiser demographics and methodology must be changed, via mandates if necessary.
 
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the bias issue is predetermined by people who have zero appraisal methodology knowledge and the predetermined conclusions aren't challenged by anyone in our industry
I have yet to see or hear anyone in one of these national discussions who is both an appraiser and is not biased. They have been selected to lead the charge in an official capacity. And having the president of AI sitting there with a stupid look on his face offering a few platitudes does not constitute the representation of AI members. That is lobbying for future, lucrative endeavors.
The first shot in the war to change how residential appraisers value property
I think the first shot was fired the other day when Freddie issued a press release identifying the cause of appraisal bias...appraisers. The fix has been applied! The message has clearly been sent, either start rubber-stamping the contract when working in minority neighborhoods or be open to criticism. I do feel for those folks who will get swept into appraisal practice through the current diversity initiatives, many probably to be trained through PAREA, and then expected to always be "right" when working in minority communities. There is enough pressure and coercion in this business without that. Imagine having regulations and your license demanding that you be unbiased and not reach conclusions that favor the cause of the client on one hand, and your community on the other demanding that you always favor their cause. The real challenge for any appraiser of any color going forward will be to find clients whose only "cause" is a credible opinion of market value.
 
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You have to wonder. Fannie Mae has existed in various forms since 1938 (and in its current form since 1968), and Freddie was created in 1970, so 53+ and 51 years. Federal laws for that entire time prohibited discrimination. During that time, both have expended hundreds of millions of dollars in salaries to ensure the best and the brightest were on staff. A very high percentage of those expenditures would have been spun as necessary to ensure that they, and their "partners" were complying with Federal laws against discrimination. Yet, for more than 50 years, with all the resources in the world (and surely, the intent), they could not identify that discrimination was taking place. But now, when politically expedient, they can identify it and identify the culprits, all in less than 3 months with the same folks in the room sucking up the money. And, not surprisingly, they haven't looked in the mirror yet, so they are not part of the problem!
 
You have to wonder. Fannie Mae has existed in various forms since 1938 (and in its current form since 1968), and Freddie was created in 1970, so 53+ and 51 years. Federal laws for that entire time prohibited discrimination. During that time, both have expended hundreds of millions of dollars in salaries to ensure the best and the brightest were on staff. A very high percentage of those expenditures would have been spun as necessary to ensure that they, and their "partners" were complying with Federal laws against discrimination. Yet, for more than 50 years, with all the resources in the world (and surely, the intent), they could not identify that discrimination was taking place. But now, when politically expedient, they can identify it and identify the culprits, all in less than 3 months with the same folks in the room sucking up the money. And, not surprisingly, they haven't looked in the mirror yet, so they are not part of the problem!
Idk if fannie or freddie have access to Home mortgage disclosure act data. I am sure @DWiley probably knows.
 
Idk. This may be huge catalyst for fannie and freddie to get access if not available to them.
 
Okay, when you apply for a home mortgage, you fill out things that are discriminatory basis. Idk if that data is available to fannie or freddie. Idk if that is good or bad if it is available to them because they are a private enterprise. Govt should analyze it based on home mortgage disclosure act data and report to public
 
Next key. It would need to be broken down by small geographical areas. The Govt does not have that capability at present as far as I know.
 
Fannie and Freddie don't have it either. Bring a lawsuit congress. Show me data in small geographical areas with your basis on discriminatory behavior.
 
I bet there is heat on @DWiley . Sorry. You make the bucks.
 
I expect the GSEs will tell you they don't have access to any information that might implicate them in any wrongdoing whatsoever.
 
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