Resolution Reached with Appraiser in Lawsuit which alleged violation of Fair Housing Act

San Rafael, CA – Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California (FHANC) and Ronald and Dominique Curtis have reached resolutions with appraiser Mehdi Mehdipour-Mossafer of a discrimination complaint alleging race and national origin discrimination in the home appraisal process. 

The case against the appraiser was settled for $90,000 and other non-monetary terms. Mr. Mehdipour-Mossafer agreed to not engage in any form of unlawful discrimination in the appraisal of residential real estate; to participate in FHANC’s training session regarding the history of segregation and real estate-related discrimination in the Bay Area; and to continue to abide by the Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers’ anti-bias education requirements. The settlement was reached after FHANC and the Curtises filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) in January 2022.

The complaint alleged that the Curtises were the owners of a duplex located on Alcatraz Ave in North Oakland. They purchased their home in 2019, hoping to build equity and someday leave the home to their young daughter. Mr. Curtis, a real estate agent, is Black and Mrs. Curtis, an appraiser herself, is Latina. After purchasing the home, they made significant renovations and in April 2020, their home was appraised at $1,154,000.  

“We are pleased to have reached resolutions with the appraiser, AMC, and the lender,” said Caroline Peattie, Executive Director of FHANC. “We hope that the injunctive relief – that is, the non-monetary terms of the resolution – will have a positive impact on the appraisal industry and the community it serves.”