Allegations of appraiser bias have been in the news. In North Carolina, these allegations were and continue to be published by local media outlets and cited by local political figures and advocacy groups. The allegations cited are regarding civil litigation, government or academic studies, and entities like Freddie Mac and Harvard University. Although there have been complaints to the North Carolina Appraisal Board alleging appraisal bias and/or illegal discrimination by appraisers, none have been the focus of national news. One of the initial and most widely reported allegations of illegal appraiser discrimination that has been repeatedly reported in local and national media is a recently settled case against a California residential appraiser. The case was filed in court by the Tate-Austin family in December of 2021 and settled in March 2023.

This offering will use the Tate-Austin case to review the most notable accusations in the complaint against the appraiser, appraisal report, and appraisal process. These allegations are similar to allegations of illegal discrimination made by other homeowners in other states and across the U.S.

The Tate-Austin’s are an African American couple, who own and live in a home in Marin City, California. The news of the allegations cited in the complaint were distributed by California and National media outlets and also the Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California. In the complaint, it was reported that the Fair Housing Advocates non-profit corporation diverted its resources to investigating the defendants’ discriminatory housing practices.

Further, this offering will review suggestions available to all appraisers, and specifically North Carolina appraisers that can be implemented in one’s current work to help understand allegations and discriminatory bias by reviewing the State of North Carolina government requirements prohibiting discrimination in the valuation profession. Warning: This is a controversial subject.

CE Credit: North Carolina Appraisal Board approved for 4 hour

Register Here

*Students seeking CE credit for this course from a state other than North Carolina are responsible for confirming with that state’s licensing board that this course will be accepted. The North Carolina Chapter recommends students check before registering*

About the Instructor: Francois (Frank) K. Gregoire, ASA, IFA, RAA

Francois K. Gregoire, ASA IFA, RAA is a second-generation Realtor, real estate broker, and Appraiser. He has been involved in Real Estate Appraisal since 1977 and is a member of the National Association of REALTORS Appraisal Section, Relocation Appraisers and Consultants, and a Designated (IFA and ASA) member of the American Society of Appraisers. In addition to providing Appraisal, Appraisal Review, and Expert Witness services for private and government clients, Frank has authored continuing education courses for Florida real estate and appraiser licensees. Articles and studies authored by Francois Gregoire have been published in the REALTOR® Magazine, LIVE Valuation, Appraisal Buzz, and the Journal of Property Economics.

In February 2000, Francois K. Gregoire was appointed by Governor Jeb Bush to the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board, the regulatory agency for Florida Real Estate Appraisers. He was appointed to a second term in March 2004. Francois K. Gregoire served as Chairman of the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2007 and Vice Chairman in 2001, 2003, and 2005. He continues to provide service to the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board as a member of the Board’s Probable Cause Panel.

Frank is one of 18 individuals appointed to the Appraisal Subcommittee Advisory Committee for the Development of Regulations. The Advisory Committee was established as a result of Dodd-Frank amendments to the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Action (FIRREA), and appointments were made in March 2014 by the Chairman of the Appraisal Subcommittee of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council. He served until the Advisory Committee submitted their recommendations in May 2015.

About the Instructor: Nicholas D. Pilz, MAI, SRA, AI-RRS

Nicholas D. Pilz, MAI, SRA, AI-RRS is an Appraiser - Consultant at Edge Realty Advisors, LLC. Mr. Pilz has extensive appraisal and appraisal review experience, focusing on compliance with the requirements of Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), in nationwide civil litigation lawsuits. Mr. Pilz has personally completed, supervised, and reviewed thousands of appraisal reports covering a wide variety of property types. Furthermore, Mr. Pilz has served on the  Professional Standards and Guidance Committee for the Appraisal Institute is an AQB Certified USPAP Instructor, and currently serves as the vice-chair of the Appraisal Standards Board.