Policy articles
Appraisal policy, regulation and state law
Rules for appraisers come from the Appraisal Foundation boards, federal agencies, the GSEs and state legislatures. These articles follow proposals from draft to final text, with links to the primary documents and comment dockets.
Fannie Mae’s “Super Intelligence” rule and the other GSE changes that matter to appraisers
Fannie Mae now calls AI “Super Intelligence” and says nothing changes. The UAD 3.6 exception, a Dec. 1 rental deadline and new DU checks do change things.
CoStar v. CREXi: where the photo copyright and antitrust fight stands in October 2026
CoStar’s photo copyright claims against CREXi await a jury, and CREXi’s monopoly counterclaims are back after the Supreme Court declined review.
Short-term rentals in 50 cities: does the license go with the house?
Short-term rental law in the 50 largest US cities, checked against code: licenses, caps, whether a license passes to a buyer and how stable the rules are.
The ROV law passed in July. The agencies have not written the rules yet.
Section 704 requires FHFA, FHA, VA and USDA to set borrower ROV rules, with no deadline. Those rules will need to protect borrowers and appraisers alike.
Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the HUD Code home
What Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac buy on manufactured homes after the 2025 to 2026 changes: the Guides compared, the UAD 3.6 appraisal, and why chattel stays out.
How Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac make money, and why the value on one loan reaches every line of it
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for appraisers: the guaranty fee, Q2 2026 income, the loss stack, what risk costs, and how better values could lower rates.
Washington upzoning, HB 1110 to today: the lot, the law and the comps
HB 1110 requires 77 Washington cities to allow 2 to 6 units per lot. Laws since, county deadlines, Seattle, Tacoma and Spokane, and changes for appraisals.
How a $45,000 Baltimore rowhome carried a $174,000 DSCR loan
A composite Baltimore DSCR loan from a $45,000 flip to foreclosure: the appraisal, title, review and settlement, the two lawsuits, and controls for lenders.
Highest and best use after SEL-2026-08: one Dallas house, two answers
Fannie Mae no longer requires the present use to be the highest and best use on UAD 3.6 reports. One Dallas house in two markets, the URAR fields, and AI.
Velvet ropes: what private listings hide from the appraisal record
Compass, Zillow, MLSs and four states are fighting over pre-market listings. The appraisal record, days on market and price history, is caught in between.
Dear Director Pulte: the letters behind appraisal modernization
An executive order told agencies to rethink appraisal rules. We read the letters and 101 CFPB comment filings to show who asked for what, in their words.
Kentucky HB 355: a one-year clock on appraiser liability
A new appraiser group wrote a bill, won 133 to 0, then survived a veto. See what HB 355 changes for lawsuits, complaints, investigators and fees.
AQB's third draft: Proposed changes to appraiser qualifications
The September 24 proposal revises appraiser education, experience, and assessment requirements. Compare the three drafts and read selected public comments.
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