Avoiding Bias: Building a Bias Defense (An Examination of Available Guidance & Requirements for North Carolina Appraisers)

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Notes

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.

Cancellation Policy

• Up To 14 days prior to program start date, $30.00 cancellation fee.
• 7 - 13 days prior to program start date, $50.00 cancellation fee.
• Less than 7 days prior to program start date, forfeit of payment.

Cancellation Clause
All cancellations must be submitted writing via e-mail at info@ncappraisalinstitute.org. Confirmed participants should not assume that cancellation has been granted until confirmation has been received. No refunds 7 days or less prior to event.

The North Carolina Chapter of the Appraisal Institute (NCAI) is not responsible for students' non-refundable airline reservations or other travel costs.

Additional Information

CLASS START TIME:

• 12:30pm ET - Zoom Meeting will open (students may check audio/video connection) 
• 1:00pm ET - Seminar will begin 

CE Credit: North Carolina Appraisal Board approved for 4 hours. 

*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*

PHOTO ID REQUIRED: Students will need to send a photo (ex: driver license photo) to executive.director@ncappraisalinstitute.org after registering. Our instructor will be verifying photo identification of students during roll call at the beginning and throughout the class. This is a requirement, and you will not receive credit if we do not have a photo to verify your identification with.

IMPORTANT: Our instructor must be able to see/hear you and you must be able to see/hear the instructor. Video must remain on throughout the entire class. Zoom Meeting allows student/instructor interaction through video/audio and the chat function. This is a requirement, and you will not receive credit if you do not have video/audio capabilities to see/hear the instructor/allow the instructor to see/hear you.

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT: Internet Access, Computer with Webcam/Camera, Microphone and Speakers. 

ZOOM: This course will be hosted using Zoom, a cloud platform for video, voice, content sharing, and chat runs across mobile devices, desktops, telephones, and room systems. Click here for tutorials about how to join a Zoom meeting and connect your audio and video. Zoom Technical Support can be found here.

National Disclaimer

This Educational Program was developed by an outside party. The Appraisal Institute Chapter made arrangements for the Third-Party to offer the Program with the intent of addressing topic(s) based on a certain chapter or local need for such topic, solely educational and informational purposes. The Appraisal Institute national organization was not involved in developing or organizing the Program and does not endorse the Program or its content.

The content of this Program, including but not limited to any written materials and presenter comments, does not represent the viewpoint of the Appraisal Institute (defined as including but not limited to, the national organization, its Regions, Chapters, members, candidates, affiliates and staff) unless formally adopted by the national Board of Directors. Further, the Appraisal Institute has not peer-reviewed or approved the content of the Program and does not warrant the accuracy or timeliness of the content of the Program. The Appraisal Institute does not publish examination review materials. The content of the Program is subject to court decisions and local, state and federal laws and regulations and any such revisions of such laws and regulations.

This Program is presented with the understanding that the Appraisal Institute is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional advice or services. Nothing in the Program is to be construed as the offering of such advice or services. If expert advice or services are required, attendees and readers are responsible for obtaining such advice or services from appropriate professionals.