Rocket Mortgage, Solidifi among defendants in appraisal bias suit

Prosecutors allege appraisal that erased $220,000 from Denver duplex’s value discriminated against Black owner and thwarted her attempt to refinance at lower rates. Continue reading

HUD: Appraisal that erased $220K in home value was discriminatory

Appraisal management company Solidifi and lending giant Rocket Mortgage are also charged with violating the Fair Housing Act. Rocket says it expects to prevail. Continue reading

4 ways homesellers can maximize their home’s appraisal value

Fair housing expert Dr. Lee Davenport says that your low appraisal may have nothing to do with the lack of landscaping. Continue reading

‘Historic’ agreement aims to break racial barriers in appraisal industry

The Appraisal Foundation will establish $1.22 million scholarship fund to help aspiring appraisers navigate “an alternative, more inclusive path” for fulfilling experience requirements that are said to have contributed to a lack of diversity. Continue reading

Dr. Shani Mott spent her last days fighting for housing equality

The Baltimore homeowner succumbed to cancer before she could celebrate a landmark appraisal bias win. She’s part of a long legacy of Black homeowners who’ve died while fighting for their rights. Continue reading

LoanDepot settles high-profile appraisal bias lawsuit filed in 2022

Lender revises appraisal policies and practices in wake of lawsuit by Baltimore couple who claimed their home was undervalued by more than $250,000 because they were Black. Continue reading

What to do if a client says, ‘I’m not selling my home for THAT price’

If your client is frustrated by a lowball appraisal, even when they’ve done everything right to get ready for the market, there may be bias at work, Dr. Lee Davenport writes. Continue reading

Project to tackle appraisal bias continues with Nov. 1 hearing

The public is invited to join leaders from the American Bankers Association and mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for a hearing on tackling appraisal bias. Continue reading

Veros says its AVM isn’t tripped up by historical redlining boundaries

Study finds that homes located within historically redlined neighborhoods tend to have less living space, smaller lot sizes and more variations in quality. Continue reading

Quality control standards for AVMs may cover discrimination

Proposed standards would include random sample testing and reviews to ensure a “high level of confidence” in the estimates produced by AVMs. Continue reading