VA Appraisal Modernization Act introduced to the Senate

On March 26, 2026, Sen. Tammy Duckworth, with co-sponsors Sen. Tim Sheehy and Sen. Jim Banks introduced the VA Appraisal Modernization Act (S. 4218), which addresses the shortage of VA appraisers by:

• Amending current law to adjust all VA home appraisal fees to keep pace with inflation in the industry;
• Requiring the secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase appraisal fees in areas that have an insufficient supply of appraisers, encouraging more of these professionals to join the VA network;
• Subjecting all appraisals made in high-demand counties and remote areas to mileage reimbursements to reduce appraisers' personal costs in these in-demand regions, and;
• Directing the secretary of Veterans Affairs to study the feasibility and advisability of procuring contracts for home appraisers in areas where supply cannot meet demand and the feasibility of restructuring VA appraisals to more closely mirror the Federal Housing Administration's process.

NAR supports this bill, as it believes that appraisals are vital to the homebuying process and that appraisers should be compensated appropriately to reflect the quality of their work.