Mary Cummins, Real Estate Appraiser, Animal Advocates, Los Angeles, California

Mary Cummins, Real Estate Appraiser, Animal Advocates, Los Angeles, California
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Wednesday, September 24, 2025

Why Home Appraisal Bias Claims are Falling Apart by AEI, Mary Cummins Real Estate Appraiser


Great article by Tobias Peter of AEI yesterday "Why Home-Appraiser Bias Claims are Falling Apart." It proves that the alleged racial bias by real estate appraisers is false. The false narrative was promoted by the media, Biden Administration and other people with an agenda. Research has proven there is no racial bias in real estate appraisal reports. 

"In 2022, numerous mainstream media outlets seized on the experience of married Johns Hopkins professors Nathan Connolly and Shani Mott as clear evidence of systemic racism in the home-appraisal industry. The episode gained national traction after the New York Times published a story in August headlined: “Home Appraised With a Black Owner: $472,000. With a White Owner: $750,000.” ABC and NPR soon amplified the narrative that racial bias in appraisals is real and widespread, locking black Americans out of building home equity and long-term wealth.

What began with great media fanfare, however, ended in silence. When a lawsuit—for which I served as an expert witness for the defense—finally reached judgment last month, a federal court dismissed the discrimination claims. The same outlets that had trumpeted the allegations early on or framed the plaintiffs’ 2024 settlement with the lender as implicit validation of their claims, never returned to cover the case’s conclusion. Their silence leaves the public with a distorted impression of widespread appraiser bias."

So glad Tobias Peter was an expert witness for the defense. These false bias claims have destroyed lives, careers and the appraisal industry reputation.

https://www.city-journal.org/article/home-appraisal-racial-bias-claims

Mary Cummins of Cummins Real Estate is a certified residential licensed appraiser in Los Angeles, California. Mary Cummins is licensed by the California Bureau of Real Estate appraisers and has over 35 years of experience.


Mary Cummins, Mary K. Cummins, Mary Katherine Cummins, Mary, Cummins, #marycummins #animaladvocates #losangeles #california #wildlife #wildliferehabilitation #wildliferehabilitator #realestate #realestateappraiser #realestateappraisal #lawsuit real estate, appraiser, appraisal, instructor, teacher, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Pasadena, Brentwood, Bel Air, California, licensed, permitted, certified, single family, condo, condominium, pud, hud, fannie mae, freddie mac, fha, uspap, certified, residential, certified resident, apartment building, multi-family, commercial, industrial, expert witness, civil, criminal, orea, dre, brea insurance, bonded, experienced, bilingual, spanish, english, form, 1004, 2055, 1073, land, raw, acreage, vacant, insurance, cost, income approach, market analysis, comparative, theory, appraisal theory, cost approach, sales, matched pairs, plot, plat, map, diagram, photo, photographs, photography, rear, front, street, subject, comparable, sold, listed, active, pending, expired, cancelled, listing, mls, multiple listing service, claw, themls, historical appraisal, facebook, linkedin

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Eastern Columbia Building in Downtown Los Angeles by Mary Cummins Real Estate Appraiser


The Eastern Columbia Building, also known as the Eastern Columbia Lofts, is a thirteen-story Art Deco building designed by Claud Beelman located at 849 S. Broadway in the Broadway Theater District of Downtown Los Angeles. It was built in 1930. In 1957 the business closed and the building became office space for the clothing industry. In 2006 it became 147 live/work lofts. 

Units go for $800,000 for one bedrooms to $3,000,000 for larger upper floor units on two floors. I went to the grand opening of the lofts in 2006. There is a rooftop pool and sundeck with a view of the clock. The clock was restored in 2005. Such a beautiful building. I just happened to be walking by this morning and couldn't help but take a few photos of this stunning architecture. Those are blue tiles on the exterior.



From the Los Angeles Conservancy
https://www.laconservancy.org/learn/historic-places/eastern-columbia-lofts/

More photos.



Mary Cummins of Cummins Real Estate is a certified residential licensed appraiser in Los Angeles, California. Mary Cummins is licensed by the California Bureau of Real Estate appraisers and has over 35 years of experience.


Mary Cummins, Mary K. Cummins, Mary Katherine Cummins, Mary, Cummins, #marycummins #animaladvocates #losangeles #california #wildlife #wildliferehabilitation #wildliferehabilitator #realestate #realestateappraiser #realestateappraisal #lawsuit real estate, appraiser, appraisal, instructor, teacher, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Pasadena, Brentwood, Bel Air, California, licensed, permitted, certified, single family, condo, condominium, pud, hud, fannie mae, freddie mac, fha, uspap, certified, residential, certified resident, apartment building, multi-family, commercial, industrial, expert witness, civil, criminal, orea, dre, brea insurance, bonded, experienced, bilingual, spanish, english, form, 1004, 2055, 1073, land, raw, acreage, vacant, insurance, cost, income approach, market analysis, comparative, theory, appraisal theory, cost approach, sales, matched pairs, plot, plat, map, diagram, photo, photographs, photography, rear, front, street, subject, comparable, sold, listed, active, pending, expired, cancelled, listing, mls, multiple listing service, claw, themls, historical appraisal, facebook, linkedin

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Thursday, September 18, 2025

Appraisal Institute Meeting Visible Value, Invisible Risk in Industrial & Multifamily by Mary Cummins


Appraisal Institute Northwestern Branch Meeting - Visible Value, Invisible Risk on Industrial & Multifamily. September 18, 2025 at Tamayo's restaurant

Notes from the meeting: Juan Huizar sells income properties in Long Beach, California. Rates are up, loans are due and banks want cash to cover equity positions because asset values are down. Many owners are selling their property instead of refinancing because values are down. Today five plus units must cash flow to get a loan. Banks will still allow four or less to not cash flow. There's been about a 19% loss in value over the last five years in five plus units. Many of those properties were heavily improved and rents increased yet values are still down. Landlords can no longer evict tenants for major repairs. Rent control is limiting income. Some buildings with soft first stories will need seismic work. Many are taking the opportunity to turn those parking spots into ADUs. Tariffs on Chinese imports are causing US companies to use warehouses in Mexico to hold the Chinese imports then ship them to the US from Mexico. Tariffs are hurting manufacturing businesses and related property values. 

Speakers: Juan Huizar, Gary Martinez

DESCRIPTION: This presentation explores how capital markets are rethinking the value of industrial properties, not just based on leases and rent rolls, but on hidden risks tied to tenant business models, tariffs, insurance costs, political pressure, and supply chain volatility. Through real-world examples and case studies, Gary Martinez, CCIM, SIOR, shares how today’s market is pricing the unseen, and why understanding these invisible risks is critical to understanding true value in 2025. A surprising 17% of all active multifamily properties are now selling for less than they did five years ago—even though many have undergone renovations, rents have increased, and overall asset performance has improved. In this data-driven presentation, we will unpack what’s driving this market correction and why it's creating a rare window of opportunity for investors and appraisers alike.

Juan Huizar, CCIM 

BIO: From the rugged terrain of La Victorina in Zacatecas, Mexico, to the thriving business landscape of Long Beach, California, Juan Huizar's journey epitomizes the resilience and determination that define the American Dream. Raised amidst the challenges of a remote village without modern amenities, Huizar's family embarked on a courageous quest for better opportunities in the United States. Enduring the perils of desert crossings, they settled in the fertile Central Valley, where all 10 members toiled in the fields, picking garlic to make ends meet.

Today, Juan Huizar, a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM), stands as a testament to the power of ambition and hard work. With an ingenious video strategy, Juan has elevated himself from relative obscurity to a nationally recognized figure in the real estate industry. His YouTube channel serves as a beacon of knowledge, attracting a remarkable 48% of his leads and drawing attention from esteemed platforms such as CNN, JP Morgan, and Western Real Estate. The CCIM designation underscores Juan’s mastery in financial analysis, market insights, negotiation tactics, and investment strategies.

As the founder and principal of Sage Real Estate, a premier commercial brokerage headquartered in Long Beach, Juan Huizar is at the forefront of innovation and excellence. His firm boasts the highest ratings in the city and ranks among the top 1.5% of boutique brokerages nationwide. Over the past eight years, Juan has personally brokered transactions totaling over $300 million, a testament to his unwavering commitment to client success and satisfaction.

Gary Martinez, SIOR, CCIM 

BIO: Gary Martinez is a hardworking commercial real estate broker with 24 years of experience. He has successfully completed over 2,500 transactions, representing investors ranging from Fortune 100 companies to family-owned operations. His expertise includes investment analysis, maximizing cash flow, enhancing commercial property values, and identifying the right opportunities at the right time. While his primary focus is in Southern California, he has completed transactions nationwide.

Gary holds two of the most prestigious designations in commercial real estate—CCIM and SIOR. He is actively involved in the industry, serving as the current President of the SIOR Inland Empire & Orange County Chapter and a multi-time past President of SoCal CCIM. Additionally, he is a CCIM 102 Instructor, teaching Real Estate Market Analysis, and a board member for Cal State Fullerton’s Real Estate Association.

Beyond commercial real estate, Gary is deeply committed to community service. As the Chairman of the Board for The Whole Child, he played a key role in developing and launching The Whole Child’s Interim Housing Program in Santa Fe Springs. This transformative program provides a structured pathway for families to transition from homelessness to homeownership, reinforcing his dedication to creating lasting, positive change in the community.

A few slides.












Mary Cummins of Cummins Real Estate is a certified residential licensed appraiser in Los Angeles, California. Mary Cummins is licensed by the California Bureau of Real Estate appraisers and has over 35 years of experience.


Mary Cummins, Mary K. Cummins, Mary Katherine Cummins, Mary, Cummins, #marycummins #animaladvocates #losangeles #california #wildlife #wildliferehabilitation #wildliferehabilitator #realestate #realestateappraiser #realestateappraisal #lawsuit real estate, appraiser, appraisal, instructor, teacher, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Pasadena, Brentwood, Bel Air, California, licensed, permitted, certified, single family, condo, condominium, pud, hud, fannie mae, freddie mac, fha, uspap, certified, residential, certified resident, apartment building, multi-family, commercial, industrial, expert witness, civil, criminal, orea, dre, brea insurance, bonded, experienced, bilingual, spanish, english, form, 1004, 2055, 1073, land, raw, acreage, vacant, insurance, cost, income approach, market analysis, comparative, theory, appraisal theory, cost approach, sales, matched pairs, plot, plat, map, diagram, photo, photographs, photography, rear, front, street, subject, comparable, sold, listed, active, pending, expired, cancelled, listing, mls, multiple listing service, claw, themls, historical appraisal, facebook, linkedin

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Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers BREA Townhall Meeting September 9, 2025 by Mary Cummins Real Estate Appraiser


I attended the California Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers Town Hall September 9, 2025 online. The main agenda items were as follows: (full agenda below)

*Enhancing Access to Licensure

*California as a Mandatory vs. Non-Mandatory State 

*Enforcement Statutes/Regulatory Opportunities

*Enhancing Communication with Stakeholders and Public

First commenters were appraisers. Some were ranting about the profession, economy, costs and difficulty of being an appraiser. Others were looking for supervisors and business opportunities. Some non appraisers commented about personal experiences with appraisers. Some were really far off topic. One guy was just ragging on one appraiser he used years ago. The "beauty" of townhalls.

There were some good commenters, namely appraisers Charles Baker and Jeff Hogan. BREA Chief Angela Jemmott headed the meeting. Shelly of Consumer Affairs was the host. Tinna Morlatt the Deputy Bureau Chief of Enforcement was also there. The panel did not respond to any questions or comments so the meeting was really pointless. It appears it was just to make the public and appraisers feel heard? 

There were almost 300 people in the online meeting. It ran from 9:00 am to 11:33 am. #marycummins #realestateappraiser #realestateappraisal #angelajemmott #tinnamorlatt #BREA #bureauofrealestateappraisers 




Appraiser extraordinaire Charles Baker

Chief of BREA Angela Jemmott

You can make comments in the survey


Agenda

https://www.brea.ca.gov/pdf/brea_townhall_agenda_9_9_2025.pdf

Full agenda

AGENDA

1. Welcome, Introduction, and Overview of the Purpose

2. Meeting Participation Instructions and Guidelines

3. Enhancing Access to Licensure
a) Strengthening Supervisory pathway
b) Exploring Alternative Pathways
c) Supporting Career Growth

4. California as a Mandatory vs. Non-Mandatory State (disclosure of appraisal fees)
a) Assessing Impacts on the Industry (pros and cons)
b) Sharing Experiences from Both Models c) Prioritizing Valuation Functions for Transitioning to Mandatory

5. Enforcement Statutes/Regulatory Opportunities
a) Enhancing Regulation of Appraisal Management Company (AMCs)
b) Aligning Regulations with Statutory and USPAP Requirements
c) Exploring Enforcement-related Education

6. Enhancing Communication with Stakeholders and Public
a) Improving Existing Communication Tools
b) Exploring Additional Communication Media

7. Comments on Items Not on the Agenda 

8. Closing Remarks

Mary Cummins of Cummins Real Estate is a certified residential licensed appraiser in Los Angeles, California. Mary Cummins is licensed by the California Bureau of Real Estate appraisers and has over 35 years of experience.


Mary Cummins, Mary K. Cummins, Mary Katherine Cummins, Mary, Cummins, #marycummins #animaladvocates #losangeles #california #wildlife #wildliferehabilitation #wildliferehabilitator #realestate #realestateappraiser #realestateappraisal #lawsuit real estate, appraiser, appraisal, instructor, teacher, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Pasadena, Brentwood, Bel Air, California, licensed, permitted, certified, single family, condo, condominium, pud, hud, fannie mae, freddie mac, fha, uspap, certified, residential, certified resident, apartment building, multi-family, commercial, industrial, expert witness, civil, criminal, orea, dre, brea insurance, bonded, experienced, bilingual, spanish, english, form, 1004, 2055, 1073, land, raw, acreage, vacant, insurance, cost, income approach, market analysis, comparative, theory, appraisal theory, cost approach, sales, matched pairs, plot, plat, map, diagram, photo, photographs, photography, rear, front, street, subject, comparable, sold, listed, active, pending, expired, cancelled, listing, mls, multiple listing service, claw, themls, historical appraisal, facebook, linkedin

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