Appraisal Now

New York Post | Los Angeles homeowners are suing the city after it blocked demolition of Marilyn Monroe's former Brentwood home by declaring it a historic monument. They paid $8 million for the property and argue that the designation—without compensation—amounts to an unconstitutional government taking.

CNBC | New York's proposed pied-à-terre tax on second homes worth more than $5 million could raise $500 million annually but faces major hurdles: The city's outdated property assessment system vastly undervalues luxury real estate, likely triggering widespread legal disputes over valuations and compliance.

Colliers | March retail sales rose 4.5% year-over-year, boosted by tax refunds, an early Easter, and strong apparel/electronics demand. But housing-related categories lagged, and rising costs may temper momentum ahead, even as discount stores and experiential venues saw notable traffic gains.

National Mortgage Professional | Pending home sales rose 1.5% in March, led by the South's stronger jobs and moderate prices. Inventory is growing, but high mortgage rates and affordability challenges persist. Rate-sensitive demand is localized—opportunity lies in markets where pricing and supply are aligning for buyers.

NPR | REITs own thousands of nursing homes and hospitals, often controlling staffing and management while claiming to be "just landlords." Poor care has led to patient deaths and massive lawsuits, yet REITs face no regulatory oversight and report enormous profits.

Fortune | Trump's deregulation-focused housing plan is seen by Wall Street as well-intentioned but insufficient. Local governments control zoning, the mortgage "lock-in" effect limits supply, and deregulation alone risks boom-bust cycles, as seen in Texas.

Fortune | Trump's deregulation-focused housing plan is seen by Wall Street as well-intentioned but insufficient. Local governments control zoning, the mortgage "lock-in" effect limits supply, and deregulation alone risks boom-bust cycles, as seen in Texas.

Logos Press | Moldova is creating a council to oversee and sanction real estate appraisers, aiming to improve report quality. Critics note appraisers lack access to actual sale prices and warn that the council risks corruption, favoring NGO-based oversight instead.

Union-Bulletin | Class Valuation acquired New York-based Lauritano Appraisal Services, expanding its Northeast presence. The deal combines LAS's 30+ years of luxury appraisal expertise with Class Valuation's technology and analytics capabilities.

REALTOR® News | Real estate fraud cost victims $275 million across 12,368 complaints in 2025, up from prior years though below 2022's $397 million peak. Artificial intelligence is fueling more convincing scams, including wire fraud and crypto "pig butchering" schemes. Brokers are urged to implement cybersecurity training and fraud prevention plans.

REALTOR® News | Real estate fraud cost victims $275 million across 12,368 complaints in 2025, up from prior years though below 2022's $397 million peak. Artificial intelligence is fueling more convincing scams, including wire fraud and crypto "pig butchering" schemes. Brokers are urged to implement cybersecurity training and fraud prevention plans.

Mortgage Professional America | Canadian home prices fell 3% year-over-year in March, with six major markets now declining, including Toronto (-7%), Vancouver (-5%), and Victoria (-9%). Quebec bucks the trend, with Montreal and Quebec City up 9% and 12%. Townhouses and condos led the declines. The outlook remains uncertain amid global economic pressures.

CBS News | U.S. property taxes rose 3.7% in 2024, outpacing inflation, with the average homeowner paying $4,427. Property taxes increased in 40 states, with Delaware up 18%. Westchester, NY, had the highest average taxes at $18,386. Some western states saw cuts, like Wyoming's 25% reduction.

Colliers | The US–Iran conflict is disrupting global shipping and raising energy costs, with limited but notable indirect effects on US real estate. Industrial and logistics demand is holding up as companies stockpile inventory and secure warehouse space to offset supply-chain uncertainty. Long-term, nearshoring trends may accelerate. On the capital markets side, rising oil prices are pushing Treasury yields higher, increasing borrowing costs and prolonging selective liquidity in commercial real estate.