The Interagency Task Force on Property Appraisal and Valuation Equity (PAVE) announced several important changes that will affect the appraisal industry.

The announcement includes:

NAR had urged regulators to look at AVM oversight, a cross-regulator ROV, and expanded data sharing. The team will be reviewing the full list of recommendations.

The City of Spokane has proposed considering a "one-fee" concept for Water and Sewer hookups. Under its previous fee structure, owners would have to pay more for building a home in areas that are considered being located in an "upper zone," under the argument it costs more to pump water uphill.

Under the original proposal, a water hook-up along would cost aver $10,000 to build on the South Hill, versus about $2,800 near downtown. As part of Mayor Woodward's GFC committee, city staff introduced the "one-fee" concept where that cost would be around $4,800 per connection. GFC stands for General Facilities Charges that are often paid by homeowners before they can receive their occupancy permit.

The Mayor's committee was formed after the Spokane City Council agreed to reduce water and sewer hook up fees for one year. Under an emergency ordinance, the Council had raised the cost to between $20 and $25-thousand per housing unit. Builders, developers and Spokane REALTORS® testified about the serious damage this move would cause in the midst of a severe housing crisis. A poll released by Spokane REALTORS® and the Spokane Homebuilders Association revealed over 2,000 construction would immediately be shut down because of these high fees.

Downtown Spokane Partnership has released a fun video promoting Spokane

as a clean, safe and vibrant city center.