Tag: Fair Housing

Portland Real Estate Appraisal Brief – Wednesday, November 26, 2025: Oregon’s New 7‑Hour Anti‑Bias CE Requirement Starts January 1, 2026

Appraisers don’t create the market—we measure it. Much like reporting the weather, our role is to analyze conditions, not control them. Oregon’s new 7‑hour anti‑bias CE requirement reinforces accountability, ensuring appraisal reports remain fair, transparent, and free from unintended influences.

Map of Oregon showing all counties and a banner at the top announcing new continuing education requirement in anti-bias training for appraisers.

Starting January 1, 2026, every licensed appraiser in Oregon must complete a 7‑hour course on Valuation Bias and Fair Housing Laws and Regulations, followed by at least 4 hours every subsequent two‑year renewal cycle. The mandate (OAR 161‑010‑0010, amended July 2025) does not increase total continuing education hours—Oregon still requires 28 hours per cycle—but carves out dedicated time for bias and fair‑housing training.

The goal is straightforward: strengthen appraisers’ ability to recognize and eliminate unconscious bias in comparable selection, adjustments, and reporting. For homeowners, realtors, attorneys, and lenders in the Portland metro, this means clearer documentation in appraisal reports, making it easier to understand and challenge valuation decisions.

Why This Training Matters for Everyday Appraisals

Bias most often shows up in the judgment calls appraisers make every day—choosing which sales to include or exclude, deciding whether an adjustment is warranted, or how large it should be.

Under USPAP, appraisers are not required to make any specific adjustment. What USPAP does require is that the analysis be credible, adequately supported, clearly explained, and never misleading. It also explicitly prohibits bias of any kind.

This new training reinforces those obligations with practical tools and case studies, so reports become even more transparent and defensible.

Practical Takeaways for Homeowners, Realtors, and Lenders

  • Expect slightly longer, more detailed appraisal reports starting in 2026—especially around comparable selection and adjustment rationale.
  • Over‑improved properties (e.g., high‑end renovations in modest subdivisions) will still be adjusted to market evidence, but the reasoning will be spelled out more explicitly.
  • Rebuttals and reconsideration of value requests should become easier to evaluate because the appraiser’s decision path will be clearer.

Appraisers don’t set market value—we measure it. Clearer documentation simply helps everyone see the measurement process more accurately.

Addressing Common Challenges

One frequent point of tension arises with over‑improved properties. Homeowners may expect comps from upscale areas, but market evidence must guide adjustments. Recent lawsuits have spotlighted these disconnects between owner expectations and data‑driven conclusions, underscoring the need for explicit explanations.

The training won’t alter core appraisal standards, but it will equip appraisers to better articulate their rationale, strengthening rebuttal packages and fostering trust.

The Bigger Picture for Portland Metro Professionals

Again, appraisers don’t create the market—we report it. We are a lot like Al Roker, who reports the weather, not make it! This new requirement promotes accountability, ensuring reports are fair, accurate, and free from unintended influences.

In a region like the Portland metro, where diverse neighborhoods drive varied valuation dynamics, clearer processes benefit everyone involved in transactions. For those who’ve navigated over‑improvement appraisals, the added transparency could smooth future interactions. Sharing experiences helps refine practices across the industry.

Sources & Further Reading

For current market context on inventory and pricing trends affecting comp selection in the Portland region, see our Q3 2025 Market Update.

Thanks for reading—I hope you found a useful insight or an unexpected nugget along the way. If you enjoyed the post, please consider subscribing for future updates.

Question: Do you think the new training requirement will have a material impact on valuation disputes?

CODA

Are you an agent in Portland and wonder why appraisers always do “x”?

A homeowner with questions about appraisal contingencies, comp selection, or reconsiderations of value?

If so, feel free to reach out—I enjoy connecting with market participants across Portland and the surrounding counties, and am always happy to help where I can.

And if you’re in need of appraisal services in Portland or anywhere in the Portland Region, we’d be glad to assist.