Boston — Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell has issued the office’s first "Know Your Rights" guide targeting appraisal discrimination in Massachusetts. This initiative aims to aid homebuyers and homeowners in distinguishing and reporting valuation bias. The guide is part of her office's effort to ensure fair housing practices throughout the state.
An appraisal, essential for buying, selling, or refinancing a home, involves determining the property's value. Appraisal discrimination occurs when an appraiser’s valuation is influenced by racial or national origin biases, potentially undervaluing properties due to the homeowner’s race or the racial makeup of the neighborhood.
The guide provides tools for identifying explicit and subtle signs of such discrimination. These include written appraisals mentioning race, national origins, or biases based on protected characteristics, or inappropriate property comparisons.
In Massachusetts, homeownership among Black families stands at 37.4% compared to 70.4% for white families. These differences contribute significantly to the racial wealth gap, exacerbated by biased home valuation. The Brookings Institute reports properties in Black neighborhoods are valued 23% less than those with similar attributes in non-Black neighborhoods.
The guide seeks to inform consumers on how to identify and report discrimination. Those suspecting appraisal bias are encouraged to file complaints online or contact the MA Attorney General’s Civil Rights Division at (617) 963-2917.
Development of this guide was overseen by Sherry Riva, Senior Advisor for Economic Mobility and Opportunity, with assistance from various chiefs and directors within the Attorney General’s Office, including Yael Shavit, Shafaq Islam, Esme Caramello, Bill O’Hearn, and intern Ananya Kulkarni.