SFA Research Corner: Assessing Appraisal Waivers and AVMs
Provided by Structured Finance Association
On October 18th FHFA Acting Director Sandra L. Thompson announced that the temporary use of desktop appraisals, adopted during the Covid-19 crisis, would become an established option. The FHFA is also considering the risks and benefits of the increased use of appraisal waivers, up more than 6.9 times the average level in 2018, as it continues to modernize the appraisal process. Additionally, the FHFA requested industry input on the risks posed by increased use of waivers and automated valuation models (AVMs) and comments on how expanded AVM use could impact racial bias in property valuations. Modernization of the appraisal process is included in the 2022 FHFA Scorecard, which holds the Enterprises “accountable for fulfilling their core mission requirements by promoting sustainable and equitable access to affordable housing and operating in a safe and sound manner.”