Originally published in the July 7, 2026, issue of AI’s Appraisal Now
Reprinted with permission from AI

The Appraisal Institute, joined by the American Society of Appraisers, the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, and MBREA, submitted comments to HUD supporting thoughtful modernization of the Federal Housing Administration's Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs). Rather than weakening longstanding borrower protections, the organizations urged FHA to improve clarity, consistency, and efficiency by reducing unnecessary documentation, streamlining guidance, expanding appropriate post-closing repair flexibility, and clarifying appraisers' role as property observers, not home inspectors. The comments also emphasize preserving the appraiser's critical role in identifying readily observable property conditions that may affect collateral risk while maintaining FHA's core safety, soundness, and security standards.

Originally published in the June 30, 2026, issue of AI’s Appraisal Now
Reprinted with permission from AI

The Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) has released its Second Exposure Draft of proposed revisions to the Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria, including several significant changes that could reshape entry into the profession. Among the proposals is replacing the current valuation bias course with a new one-time, five-hour qualifying education course titled Fair Housing Laws, Impartiality, and Objective Valuation Practice while eliminating the recurring continuing education requirement on valuation bias. The Appraisal Institute supports this approach, recognizing the importance of educating new appraisers on fair housing and objective valuation while avoiding repetitive requirements that add costs without demonstrated public benefit.

Other proposed changes include eliminating the college degree requirement for Certified Residential and Certified General appraisers, removing minimum experience timeframes, allowing candidates to take the national exam upon completing qualifying education, making passing exam scores permanent, expanding PAREA to Certified General candidates, and eliminating continuing education requirements for Trainee Appraisers. The AQB is accepting public comments through July 27, 2026, and the Appraisal Institute encourages members to review the proposal and participate in the comment process.

Originally published June 22, 2026, by Elevation Strategies
Reprinted with permission from Elevation Strategies

Property Tax Relief: The NC General Assembly passed and Governor Josh Stein signed a bill that freezes property revaluations in several counties in the state . However, local governments retain the ability to set their own tax rates. As such, Greensboro is moving forward with a 12.6 cent tax increase, whereas Guilford County appears to be considering a 4-6 cent tax increase.

The North Carolina Appraisal Institute was pleased to send four representatives to LDAC this year; Erica Butler, MAI, Keith Bolte, MAI, AI-GRS, Brian Crowder, MAI, SRA and Laura Gourlay, MAI, AI-GRS.

First, we are proud to announce that Erica Butler, MAI, has been selected as a 2027 Discussion Leader—an exceptional honor for both Erica and our Chapter. This year’s selection was highly competitive, with approximately 25 third-year participants applying. Erica is also the 2024 Anglyn Award recipient, and our Chapter continues to benefit from her outstanding leadership and contributions at LDAC.

Originally published May 27, 2026, by Elevation Strategies
Reprinted with permission from Elevation Strategies

Here are some recent highlights from the NC General Assembly:

Originally published in the May 19, 2026, issue of AI’s Appraisal Now
Reprinted with permission from AI

Congress is poised to take another major step on housing policy after House and Senate negotiators reached agreement on a final version of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act—a bipartisan package to expand housing supply, improve affordability, and modernize federal housing programs.

Originally published May 10, 2026, by Elevation Strategies
Reprinted with permission from Elevation Strategies

Budget Update

Originally published April 25, 2026, by Elevation Strategies
Reprinted with permission from Elevation Strategies

The NC General Assembly passes a regulatory reform bill practically every session, and we expect this year will be no different. These bills usually contain a myriad of policies that make changes to regulations regarding a wide variety of industries.

Originally published April 25, 2026, by Elevation Strategies
Reprinted with permission from Elevation Strategies

Although the NC General Assembly usually doesn't get involved in property tax discussions, this year is different. Various local property revaluations this year have resulted in property values going up by fairly significant margins, resulting in citizens reaching out to legislators asking for help.

Originally published in the March 17, 2026, issue of AI’s Appraisal Now
Reprinted with permission from AI

Last Thursday, the U.S. Senate passed a sweeping bipartisan housing package to improve affordability and expand the housing supply nationwide. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act passed 89 to10 and includes provisions to boost housing availability, modernize federal programs, and ease market pressures on homebuyers.

Originally published in the March 17, 2026, issue of AI’s Appraisal Now

Reprinted with permission from AI

The Administration recently issued an Executive Order aimed at expanding access to mortgage credit and addressing housing affordability. The order directs federal financial regulators to review mortgage-related regulations that may affect credit availability—an effort that could lead to significant policy changes, including rules affecting real estate appraisal requirements.

Originally published February 28 by Elevation Strategies
Reprinted with permission

Property taxes are a hot topic in Raleigh right now. The NC House Select Committee on Property Tax Reduction and Reform has held several meetings, and NC Senator Phil Berger also recently announced a task force in the NC Senate to examine property taxes.

Originally published in the February 3, 2026, issue of AI’s Appraisal Now
Reprinted with permission from AI

Registration is now open for the Appraisal Institute’s 2026 Legislative Day, taking place in Washington, DC on May 20–21, 2026.

Register Now

Originally published by Elevation Strategies

The NC General Assembly will return to action on April 21st for the 2026 short session. When lawmakers get back to work -- after the dust settles on the primary election -- they will resume working towards a deal on the state budget. As we have reported before, there was no new state budget enacted last year, due to a standoff between the NC House and Senate, making NC the only state in the nation that is operating off of a budget from the 2023-24 cycle.

This year's Nominating Committee will meet soon to nominate qualified chapter members for 2027 elected positions. 

Participation from our designated members, candidates, and practicing affiliates is vital to the Chapter and is critical in advancing our organization and the profession.

Article by Nathan Pippin, SRA

Nationally, the Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) establishes the minimum qualification requirements for real estate appraisers. These minimum standards are updated periodically to ensure the profession keeps pace with market demands, technological advancements, regulatory needs, and workforce trends. When the AQB revises its requirements, state legislatures and appraiser regulatory agencies (such as the North Carolina Appraisal Board) are required to implement those minimums. Importantly, states retain the authority to impose additional requirements beyond the AQB-prescribed standards.

Thank you to everyone who joined us at Brook Valley Country Club in Greenville, NC on December 11 for NCAI’s Q4 Chapter Business Meeting and the J. Scott Robinson Installation Ceremony. It was a wonderful way to close out 2025, celebrate the holiday season together, and reflect on another productive year for the chapter.

(L-R): Treasurer Laura Gourlay, MAI, AI-GRS; Immediate Past President Kelli Mayhew, MAI, SRA; 2026 President Greyson Morgan, MAI; President-Elect Erica Butler, MAI; Vice President Brian Crowder, MAI; and Secretary Nathan Pippin, SRA.

Originally published in the December 12, 2025, issue of AI’s Appraisal Now
Reprinted with permission from AI

In Lake Jordan Holdings, LLC v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2025-123), the U.S. Tax Court again sharply criticized an inflated conservation easement valuation, reducing a claimed $12.7 million deduction to just $1.09 million and sustaining a 40% gross valuation misstatement penalty. The Court found that the taxpayer’s appraiser, who lacked an Alabama license and relied on aggressive assumptions and extensive cut-and-paste narrative material, produced an appraisal that was “egregious” and unsupported by market evidence.

Originally published in the December 12, 2025, issue of AI’s Appraisal Now
Reprinted with permission from AI

The Appraisal Industry Improvement Act (AIIA), bipartisan legislation introduced in the House of Representatives by Janelle Bynum (D-OR) and Byron Donalds (R-FL), has reemerged as Congress prepares to take up a broader bipartisan housing package. Although the Senate-released National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) ultimately excluded appraisal provisions, the momentum behind federal housing reforms creates a viable path for incorporating the AIIA and the Portal for Appraisal Licensing (PAL) Act into upcoming legislative negotiations.