Legal News

During the latest episode of the Keys to Real Estate podcast, attorney and former Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Senior Counsel David Friend joined host Mary Schuster to unpack the difference between “fraud for money” and “fraud for housing,” as well as why proving intent is so difficult.

In Part II of our conversation with Tobias Peter, senior fellow and co-director of the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) Housing Center, we further examined Peter’s research into court cases surrounding appraisal bias.

According to Peter, his findings indicate the courts are asking plaintiffs to demonstrate actual discrimination rather than statistical disparities that can be explained by legitimate factors.

Read on for the conclusion to this feature story.

In October 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), on behalf of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), filed the case against Rocket Mortgage, appraisal management company Solidifi, lender/appraiser Maksym Mykhailyna, and his company, Maverick Appraisal Group in relationship to appraisal bias claims.

Rocket subsequently filed suit against HUD claiming the agency “unfairly” held Rocket accountable. U.S. District Court Judge Gordon Gallagher, though, is allowing an appraisal bias lawsuit brought against Rocket Mortgage to proceed, denying a motion to dismiss.

Read on for full details surrounding this legal matter.

As far as detailed documentation is concerned, what should appraisers focus on to minimize the need to appear in court?

At the 2025 Val Expo appraisal conference in Las Vegas, attorneys Craig Capilla, of Franklin, Greenswag, Channon and Capilla, LLC and BBG's Peter Christensen addressed the attendees with advice for appraisers looking to stay out of court, or how to defend themselves should they need to appear on the witness stand.

Valuation Review caught up with Capilla after the conference. Read on to find out what we learned.

Spencer Fane LLP recently welcomed to the firm’s St. Louis office an of counsel attorney in the real estate practice group.

Louisiana House Bill 288, introduced to update the state’s laws regarding real estate appraisers by modifying continuing education requirements and refining definitions related to appraisal management, has been signed into law.

What will this mean for the state and its appraisers moving forward?

Read on to learn more about this legislation.

The Cook County (Illinois) Circuit Court granted a motion by former Appraisal Institute (AI) CEO Cindy Chance in June to dismiss all claims against former AI Vice President Craig Steinley in her wrongful termination against AI.

Chance and AI reached a settlement on the rest of the claims in August.

Read on for the follow-up on this legal matter.

On Aug. 1, the Appraisal Institute (AI) announced it “reached a resolution” regarding litigation brought against AI by its former CEO, Cindy Chance, alleging wrongful termination.

On Aug. 1, the Appraisal Institute (AI) announced it “reached a resolution” regarding litigation brought against AI by its former CEO, Cindy Chance, alleging wrongful termination.

The New Jersey Senate introduced a bill requiring automobile insurers to include an appraisal provision in insurance policies.

Under the bill, every automobile insurer authorized to write automobile insurance policies in the state must have specific outlined policies.

Read on for more details surrounding this piece of legislation.