The NCUA
announced an appraisal is not required for residential real-estate related transactions from $250,000 to $400,000. If the property involved in the transaction is below the threshold, federally insured credit unions will be required to obtain written estimates of the market value of the real estate, consistent with safe and sound practices.
“We recognize that the process of securing a loan and purchasing a home can be time-consuming and costly, particularly for middle- and working-class borrowers and those who live in underserved and rural areas,” NCUA Chairman Rodney E. Hood said. “This common-sense adjustment to the appraisal threshold for residential real estate transactions is a timely regulatory reform that will serve lenders and borrowers well.”
The NCUA Board unanimously approved an interim final rule that allows a credit union to temporarily defer certain appraisals and evaluations for up to 120 days when other alternatives are not available and when the appraisal or evaluation would delay the closing of the residential or commercial real estate loan transaction. The interim final rule covers all real estate related transactions except those involving acquisition, development, and construction real estate loans are excluded from this interim rule.
These temporary provisions will expire on Dec. 31, 2020, unless extended by the NCUA Board.