Freddie Mac has decided to buy mortgages with appraisals made by trainee appraisers. The GSE made the announcement in a recent bulletin updating appraisal requirements. Freddie said it made the change in response to seller inquiries. “We are also specifying that an unlicensed or trainee (or similar classification) appraiser may perform a completion report as long as a supervisory appraiser also signs the completion report,” said Freddie. The Loan Product Advisory tool has already been updated to reflect the change. The appraisal shortage likely played a role in that decision as Realtors and lenders complained about a lack of qualified appraisers and out-of-town appraisers not familiar with local market conditions incorrectly valuing homes.