HUD Unveils Appraisal Action to Help Consumers

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today sent an appraisal action plan to President Biden that is designed to make the appraisal industry more accountable and to help home buyers and home owners better navigate the appraisal process.

The action plan, developed by the Interagency Task Force for Property Appraisal and Valuation Equity (PAVE), includes 13 federal agencies that have pledged to take the following actions:

Make the appraisal industry more accountable. The PAVE action plan lays out steps to enhance oversight and accountability of the appraisal industry, which has long operated in a relatively closed and self-regulated framework and has not been effective at addressing deep-rooted inequities. Specifically, it commits federal agencies to create a legislative proposal to modernize the governance structure of the appraisal industry, and improves coordination and collaboration between federal enforcement agencies to better identify and redress discrimination in appraisals.

Empower consumers with information and assistance. The PAVE action plan includes concrete efforts to empower home owners and home buyers on effective steps they can take when they receive a valuation that is lower than expected. For example, federal agencies commit to issue guidance and implement new policies to improve the process by which a valuation may be reconsidered.

Cultivate an appraiser profession that is well-trained and looks like the communities it serves. According to the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, the appraiser/assessor profession is roughly 97% white, making it one of the least diverse professions in the country. The PAVE action plan lays out a series of actions to remove unnecessary educational and experience requirements that make it difficult for underrepresented groups to access the profession and to strengthen anti-bias, fair housing, and fair lending training of existing appraisers.

To read the full report and stay up to date on the work of the Task Force, visit pave.hud.gov.

You can also access NAHB’s appraisal resources on nahb.org.