The Appraisal Institute, the largest professional association of real estate appraisers in the United States, is actively encouraging recent graduates and those aspiring to become appraisers to consider a career in the valuation profession. The institute offers various opportunities to support aspiring appraisers on their journey to success.

Key initiatives and services provided by the Appraisal Institute include:

1. **Appraiser Diversity Initiative:** Collaborating with Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the National Urban League, this initiative aims to increase diversity in the profession. Scholarships covering entry-level courses are offered, along with advisors to guide students through education and credentialing.

2. **Minorities and Women Course Scholarship Program:** The Appraisal Institute Education and Relief Foundation provides scholarships to minorities and women pursuing courses related to appraisals.

3. **Pathway to Success Grant:** The Appraisal Institute received the Pathway to Success Grant from The Appraisal Foundation's Board of Trustees. This grant supports the development of a Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal program, offering an alternative pathway for aspiring appraisers to gain experience hours required for certification.

4. **Student Affiliate Program:** Aspiring appraisers and students can join the Appraisal Institute as Student Affiliates. This program is open to high school juniors and seniors, as well as college and university students. It offers an opportunity to learn about the profession without a fee.

The institute emphasizes the benefits of a career in real estate valuation, including flexible schedules, engaging assignments, and a strong earning potential. Appraisers play a vital role in the real estate industry by providing credible value opinions, consulting, and risk mitigation for financing, litigation, estate planning, and various property transactions.

Appraisers also engage in tasks such as estate planning, tax assessment review, eminent domain advice, dispute resolution, feasibility studies, expert witness testimony, market trend analysis, investment analysis, and more. Whether fresh out of college or considering a career change, the Appraisal Institute offers tools and resources to excel in the appraisal profession.

For those interested in learning more about a career in real estate appraisal, the Appraisal Institute's website provides further information.  

https://www.appraisalinstitute.org/become-appraiser/

The Appraisal Institute has shared insights on simplifying the property tax appeal process for U.S. homeowners as they receive their property tax bills. The organization recommends working with their Designated Members to understand the local appeals process and explore potential options.
Appraisal Institute President Craig Steinley emphasizes the significance of hiring a qualified appraiser who adheres to industry standards and ethical codes. He explains that the ideal scenario is for a property's assessed value to align with its market value, as intended by property assessment laws. Steinley notes that tax assessors, typically elected officials, have no incentive to deliberately inflate assessed values and subsequently increase property taxes.
Different municipalities might have varying stages of tax appeals. Steinley advises homeowners to consult local appraisers who possess the expertise and knowledge required to navigate this process. He highlights that if errors occur in the calculation of property tax bills by local governments, homeowners have the right to appeal the assessment.
Collaboration between appraisers, property tax consultants, and specialized attorneys is common in tax appeal matters. This collaboration could significantly enhance the likelihood of a successful appeal for property owners.

The Appraisal Institute, the leading professional association of real estate appraisers, suggests that homeowners focus on simple ways to potentially enhance their property's value. Home remodeling projects, when done correctly, can add value to homes, especially amid rising property values across the country. A survey by Cinch Home Services found that 62% of owners aim to increase their home's value through renovations.

For optimal returns, homeowners might consider delaying significant renovations if uncertain about how long they will stay in their property. Longer ownership duration often leads to a greater chance of a return on investment. Still, even small renovations can significantly impact a home's value.

Key strategies for enhancing value include:

1. **Boosting Curb Appeal:** The exterior's visual appeal is crucial for making a positive first impression on potential buyers. Upgrading exterior features such as paint and garage doors can yield substantial returns. Basic yard care, landscaping, and enhancing outdoor areas like pools and decks also contribute.

2. **Upgrading Bathrooms:** Modernizing bathrooms is a popular trend. Luxurious additions like open showers, double-sink vanities, extra storage space, underfloor heating, water-saving features, and creative lighting can make daily routines more enjoyable and add value to the home.

3. **Bringing Outdoors Indoors:** The trend of integrating outdoor elements indoors continues to gain momentum. This includes installing floor-to-ceiling windows to maximize natural light, creating wellness spaces with soothing colors and plants, incorporating air purifiers, and adding indoor greenery.

4. **Prioritizing Sustainability and Energy Efficiency:** With increasing concerns about energy costs, homeowners are leaning towards eco-friendly improvements. Energy-efficient windows and doors, sustainable building materials like bamboo flooring, solar panel integration, and digital thermostats are some of the sought-after trends.

Professional appraisers offer homeowners the guidance needed to make informed renovation decisions. The key is to strike a balance between smart financial choices and improvements that enhance the quality of life. Contacting an appraiser can provide insights into how specific renovations might affect home values.

In the competitive real estate market, well-planned renovations guided by appraisers' expertise can give homeowners the confidence to make impactful decisions.

​The "More Homes on the Market Act," introduced by Rep. Jimmy Panetta, a Democrat from California, and Republican Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania, aims to encourage homeowners to sell their properties by increasing the sums that can be excluded from their taxes upon selling a home. The bill proposes doubling the tax exclusion for profits from home sales: individually filing homeowners could exclude $500,000, and joint income-tax filers up to $1 million. Currently, the exclusion is $250,000 for single filers and $500,000 for joint filers, set in 1997 and not adjusted for inflation.

Panetta's goal is to address the dilemma faced by homeowners with valuable properties: whether to sell their homes and face significant tax burdens or keep them, contributing to the scarcity of housing listings. Many homeowners in costly housing markets, such as parts of California, have experienced substantial increases in property values over the years.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) anticipates that adjusting the capital gains exclusion for inflation since 1997 and raising the exclusion to $450,000 for single filers and $900,000 for joint filers could potentially lead to an increase in housing supply by around 159,000 to 344,000 homes nationwide, easing the inventory crunch. This change could have a more noticeable impact in expensive markets like San Francisco and New York City.

While building new homes can take time, increasing the capital gains tax exclusion could provide an immediate solution to the housing supply challenge, according to Lawrence Yun, the chief economist at NAR. The proposed legislation addresses the need for a more attractive environment for homeowners to sell, potentially stimulating the real estate market, particularly in high-cost areas.