Ahead of selling her Pittsburgh home in 2021, a Black homeowner had her home appraised and received an appraisal of $400,000. Before having a second appraisal done, she replaced the pictures, art, and d cor in her home with family pictures of one of her white friends. She then received an appraisal of $436,000. This is a blatant example of housing appraisal discrimination, and it is consistently happening to Black families across the country and throughout our state.
 
Federal laws prohibit real estate appraisal discrimination and require appraisers to follow a certain standard of unbiased ethics and performance. However, even these strict laws do not prevent home appraisers from engaging in discriminatory practices. That is why we are introducing legislation to require real estate appraisers to complete training regarding bias and discrimination prior to obtaining their initial or renewal certification or licensure. The legislation would also prohibit a licensed or certified real estate appraiser from incorporating bias or discrimination into their appraisal of real estate.
 
Appraisals can make or break the value of a home and can have lasting effects on generational wealth. Please join us in co-sponsoring this important legislation to restore fairness to the home appraisal process. Every homeowner deserves to get out what they put into their home.
 

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 1493 (Apr 28, 2025): P.L.404, No.98