The Appraisal Institute is partnering with Fannie Mae to promote appraisal careers and to foster diversity in the valuation profession, the nation’s largest professional association of real estate appraisers announced today.

The Appraisal Institute is serving as co-lead on Fannie Mae’s Appraiser Diversity Pipeline Initiative with the National Urban League and Altisource. The initiative is intended to attract new entrants to the residential appraisal field, overcome barriers to entry (such as education, training and experience requirements) and to foster diversity.

“As the valuation profession’s leading association, the Appraisal Institute plays a vital role in helping to attract the next generation of appraisers,” said Appraisal Institute President Stephen S. Wagner, MAI, SRA, AI-GRS. “We place a high priority on diversity and welcome this opportunity to work with Fannie Mae on such an important initiative.”

The Appraisal Institute is collaborating with Fannie Mae and other initiative sponsors to create opportunities for prospective appraisers. The first step is to coordinate several events that will leverage the Appraisal Institute’s network of professional appraisers to inform and connect with those potentially interested in a residential appraisal career.

Fannie Mae’s Appraiser Diversity Pipeline Initiative will help share information with potential valuation professionals – many of whom are unfamiliar with the attractive career options available in the residential appraisal field – about the opportunities to work flexible hours in the field or from a home office, use cutting-edge technology, and choose from multiple career paths.

Working through the National Urban League’s regional Entrepreneurship Centers, the Appraiser Diversity Pipeline Initiative is designed to reach diverse, talented candidates and educate them about the appraisal profession; provide resources for interested candidates to help them get on a path to success; and offer guidance from appraisers employed by Fannie Mae.