Air Appraisal Certification Form – Fill Out and Use This PDF

Air Appraisal Certification Form PDF Details

The Air Appraisal Certification form is a pivotal compliance document used in conventional mortgage lending. It certifies that the appraisal for a specific property was ordered, reviewed, and managed according to Conventional Appraiser Independence Requirements (AIR) published by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The form records appraiser credentials, property details, and affirmative compliance statements by an authorized lender representative.

What the Air Appraisal Certification Form Covers

The AIR certification form documents several key compliance areas. It confirms appraiser selection based on qualifications, geographic competency, and independence from the loan transaction. It certifies adherence to the Conventional Appraiser Independence Requirements or HUD's Appraisal Independence Policy for FHA loans. It also documents the absence of prohibited communications, such as providing a target value or suggesting specific outcomes to the appraiser during the appraisal process.

The form addresses permissible interactions as well, including sharing factual property data, prior appraisal reports, and the expected scope of work. Lenders must confirm that the appraiser is not on any industry watch lists or exclusionary lists maintained by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac before engaging them for the assignment.

Who Needs to Complete This Form

Mortgage lenders, banks, credit unions, and appraisal management companies (AMCs) that originate loans sold to the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) are required to complete this form. Any institution participating in Fannie Mae's or Freddie Mac's loan purchase programs must maintain documentation demonstrating AIR compliance for each appraisal ordered. This applies to conventional conforming loans, jumbo loans sold to the GSEs, and many state-regulated mortgage products.

Appraisal management companies that manage the appraisal process on behalf of lenders also use this certification to demonstrate their operational compliance with AIR. If you are involved in ordering or reviewing appraisals for lending purposes, this form should be completed and retained in the loan file. Related appraisal documents include the 2045 property appraisal form and the Fannie Mae Form 1037 for supplemental appraisal documentation.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Failure to maintain proper AIR documentation can result in loan repurchase demands from Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. If the GSEs audit a lender's files and find missing or incomplete AIR certifications, they may require the lender to repurchase the loan at the original principal amount. In serious cases of AIR violations, lenders may face suspension from the GSE seller programs entirely.

Maintaining a complete Air Appraisal Certification form for each appraisal is an essential risk management practice. It protects the lender from repurchase risk, confirms the appraiser's independence, and provides a verifiable record that the property's appraised value reflects true market conditions rather than external pressure.