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Realtors, Brokers Target Home-Appraisal Rule, WSJ

National Association of Mortgage Brokers CEO Roy DeLoach contends that out-of-town appraisers hired by vendors are eating away at homeowner equity through home valuations that aren't credible: "It's basically hollowing out the equity in communities whether you intend to sell or not."

The mortgage-broker and real-estate industries are pushing to have a measure that would kill new home-appraisal rules inserted into pending legislation to overhaul financial-sector regulation.The Home Valuation Code of Conduct, adopted in May 2009 to ensure appraiser independence, bars mortgage brokers and bank loan officers from selecting appraisers. Mortgage brokers and realtors complain that the rules have produced low-ball appraisals that have blown up deals, while appraisers argue the change has harmed appraisal quality.Mortgage lenders, on the other hand, are trying to fend off the measure. Several big lenders own or have a stake in companies that have seen a surge in business as a result of the new rules. "We're going to try all we can to keep it out," said John A. Courson, the Mortgage Bankers Association's president and chief executive officer.
By Jessica Holzer, June 18, 2010 WSJ

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