In the context of fair housing laws, what might result from selecting comparable sales from a neighborhood predominantly made up of the same ethnicity as the buyers?

Selecting comparable sales from a neighborhood predominantly composed of the same ethnicity as the buyers likely violates USPAP and fair housing laws. Fair housing laws are designed to prevent discrimination in housing based on various characteristics, including race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, and disability. By intentionally choosing comparables from areas associated with a particular ethnicity, there is a risk of discrimination based on those characteristics. This could lead to unequal treatment of individuals based on their ethnicity, undermining the principles of equal opportunity in housing.

Furthermore, USPAP emphasizes the importance of ethical practices in appraisal, which includes adhering to fair housing laws. Selecting comparables in a discriminatory manner not only compromises the fairness and ethical standing of the appraisal process but could also lead to legal consequences for the appraiser. Therefore, such a selection strategy is not only against the intention of fair housing laws, but it also poses a risk to the accuracy and fairness of the appraisal itself.