Part 6/9:
Investigation into Baltimore’s foreclosure wave reveals a troubling pattern: the same appraisers were repeatedly used for properties that later entered foreclosure with unexpectedly low sale prices. This suggests that initial property valuations may have been artificially inflated, enabling lenders to approve larger loans underscored by questionable appraisals. When these properties failed to sell at auction or suffered significant depreciation, questions about the integrity of the valuation process surfaced.