Intent Needed for Appraisal Bias

Recent federal cases are tossing appraisal discrimination claims that rely on 'whitewashing' experiments or broad sociological models, finding that conflicting valuations alone don’t prove bias. Judges have excluded expert testimony and demanded evidence of discriminatory intent. Together with HUD’s retreat from PAVE‑style guidance, the bar for proving appraisal bias is rising. — A higher legal proof standard reshapes fair‑housing enforcement and media narratives about systemic appraisal bias, with consequences for lenders, appraisers, and homeowners.