How the Trump Administration May Impact the Real Estate Appraisal Profession
With President Trump’s first 100 days back in office behind us, it's a good time to take stock of how current federal policy changes are shaping the real estate appraisal industry.
This is not a political post. This is a factual update that may affect buyers, sellers, Realtors®, and appraisers alike.
Appraisers are under increased scrutiny. In the past 5 years, allegations of bias in the valuation of minority-owned homes have become a major national focus. No proven cases of appraiser racism in court.
Despite several lawsuits, not one case has resulted in a legal finding of appraiser misconduct related to bias. WE EXPECT LAWSUITS TO DECLINE MOVING FORWARD. SOME APPRAISERS ARE ALSO FILING COUNTERSUITS FOR DEFAMATION.
Federal rollback of bias initiatives. The Trump administration has:
Disbanded the PAVE Task Force
Rescinded HUD appraisal bias protections
Issued executive orders rolling back DEI programs across agencies
Yes, some minority neighborhoods are valued lower—but this is based on market demand, not appraiser prejudice.
Property values are shaped by:
School quality
Crime statistics
Proximity to jobs and amenities
Property condition and location
Appraisers don’t set values—we reflect the market. We are independent, neutral parties with no stake in the transaction.
As federal priorities shift, it’s more important than ever to educate the public on how valuation works and protect the integrity of the profession.