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DOJ sues Rocket, appraisal companies over alleged discrimination

Housing Wire

Another regulator has sued Rocket Mortgage for allegedly discriminating against a Black homeowner by undervaluing her home during an appraisal in Colorado three years ago. The document states that the plaintiffs undervalued a homeowner’s property based on her race in an appraisal made in 2021 in Denver.

Appraisal 499
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Erik Morin reflects on his return to the reverse mortgage appraisal space

Housing Wire

Last April, Erik Morin made a return to the reverse mortgage valuation space by joining appraisal and valuation company Atlas VMS. Morin founded Landmark Network in 2007, a company that quickly became a key player on the valuation side of the reverse mortgage space before being acquired by Class Valuation in 2018.

Appraisal 356
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Fannie Mae extends relaxed appraisal, lending standards

Housing Wire

Mortgage giant Fannie Mae extended its relaxed lending and appraisal standards put in place due to COVID-19 into the new year. The flexibilities surrounding verbal verification of employment and appraisals were originally set to expire on Dec. 31, 2020, however Fannie Mae is now pushing that back to at least Jan. 31, 2021. “We

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loanDepot settles appraisal bias lawsuit 

Housing Wire

loanDepot has settled a lawsuit filed by a Maryland couple accusing the firm of appraisal bias, ending a case that gained national attention two years ago. California-based loanDepot will pay an undisclosed amount and commit to improving its mortgage appraisal practices. But the company hasn’t admitted any fault.

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Lenders see appraisal modernization as a top priority

Housing Wire

A Fannie Mae survey published in mid-May found that mortgage lenders see value in appraisal modernization, specifically in the implementation of non-traditional appraisals and inspection-based appraisal waivers. One mid-sized lender echoed the opinion of others that appraisals still take too long.

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VA hikes appraisal fees, turn-times in select markets

Housing Wire

The Department of Veterans Affairs will raise appraisal fees and lengthen allowable turnaround times in select markets across the country in response to high demand for appraisals. The VA designated markets as high-demand based on increased demand for appraisal services and a shortage of appraisers.

Appraisal 482
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UWM appraisal shakeup makes small splash

Housing Wire

United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM) announced late last year that it would turn the appraisal space on its head by launching an in-house appraisal program. Even if it has not made quite the outsized impact UWM said it would, appraisers mostly like the wholesaler’s new program. New blood in the appraisal space.

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