Apprise by Walker & Dunlop Names Nelson Pratt to Lead Expanded HUD/FHA Multifamily Valuation Capabilities
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hud/fharegulatory
HUD/FHA refers to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and its Federal Housing Administration unit, which insure and regulate many home mortgages. Think of the FHA as a government-backed safety net that makes it easier for buyers to get loans by absorbing part of the risk for lenders; HUD sets related rules and housing policy. Investors watch HUD/FHA activity because it affects how many mortgages get made, the credit risk in mortgage-backed securities, and overall housing market stability.
multifamilytechnical
Multifamily describes residential properties that contain multiple separate living units under one ownership, such as apartment buildings, duplexes, triplexes or condo complexes. Investors care because a single property can produce income from many tenants at once, smoothing cash flow much like a small rental fleet rather than one standalone house, and offering scale benefits, diversified tenant risk, and sensitivity to rental market trends that affect returns and asset value.
eminent domaintechnical
A government power to take private property for public use, provided the owner receives fair payment; think of it like a forced sale when land is needed for a road, utility, or other public project. It matters to investors because it can change the value, availability, or planned use of real estate and project assets, create timing or legal risks for developments, and alter expected returns when holdings are seized or rerouted.
market studytechnical
A market study is a systematic review of a product, service, or industry that measures demand, customer preferences, competitors, pricing, and growth potential to estimate how big and profitable an opportunity might be. For investors it matters because it translates vague ideas into concrete expectations about future sales, risks, and competitive threats—like a map and weather report combined, helping decide whether an investment is likely to reach its destination.
gse lendersfinancial
GSE lenders are financial firms created or chartered by the government to buy, guarantee or backstop home loans and other debt, helping banks and mortgage companies lend more easily. Think of them as big wholesalers who buy mortgages from retailers and promise investors those loans will be paid, which lowers borrowing costs and increases liquidity; changes to their rules or finances can quickly affect mortgage rates, bank profits and housing-market risk.
proptechtechnical
Property technology, or proptech, is the use of software, sensors, data and online platforms to buy, sell, manage and use real estate more efficiently. Think of it as bringing the conveniences of apps and automation to buildings and property markets — from digital listings and smart locks to automated maintenance and data-driven pricing. Investors care because proptech can lower costs, increase occupancy or rents, improve asset value and create new revenue streams or risks in real estate portfolios.
BETHESDA, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Apprise by Walker & Dunlop announced today the launch of a national HUD/FHA multifamily valuation and market study practice group, led by Nelson Pratt, MAI, managing director and national HUD practice lead. Pratt will oversee HUD/FHA appraisal and market study production, strengthen quality control standards and lead team development alongside a specialized five-person valuation and market study team. Apprise continues to grow its HUD-insured multifamily valuation and market study capabilities across the United States, strengthening its ability to serve clients in one of the most specialized segments of multifamily valuation, where disciplined execution, documentation standards, and review-ready reporting directly impact transaction certainty and timelines.
Nelson Pratt
“Adding Nelson as our National HUD Practice Lead accelerates our momentum in HUD work and expands our ability to win and deliver this highly specialized volume at scale,” said Meghan Czechowski, MAI, senior vice president and head of Apprise by Walker & Dunlop. “It’s a significant step in strengthening Apprise’s dominance in multifamily valuation, pairing extensive HUD expertise with the data and national reach clients rely on.”
Pratt brings more than 20 years of multifamily valuation and consulting experience, with emphasis on HUD-insured assets, eminent domain, housing needs assessments, and market study assignments. His work spans the Southeast and national markets, including assignments completed in over 18 states across the country. His consulting experience includes market studies for new multifamily development and municipal housing needs assessments.
“I’m thrilled to join the Apprise team and add to the platform’s already well-established expertise in multifamily valuation and analysis,” said Pratt, managing director at Apprise by Walker & Dunlop. “Contributing to work that supports housing-focused clients is meaningful to me, and I look forward to helping the team scale its impact across the country.”
Prior to joining Apprise, Pratt served as managing director at Colliers Valuation & Advisory Services, where he worked in a similar capacity. Earlier, he was an appraiser at Hodges & Pratt Company, PC, later becoming a partner, and ultimately serving as president. Pratt earned a bachelor’s degree in business and finance from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and holds the MAI designation from the Appraisal Institute. He serves as 2026 chair of the National Council of Housing Market Analysts executive committee and was appointed to the Tennessee Real Estate Appraiser Commission in 2022.
Launched by Walker & Dunlop, Apprise is focused exclusively on the U.S. market and has a collective track record of valuing over $350+ billion worth of commercial real estate properties to date. Serving a client base that includes GSE lenders, owners/operators, banks, and institutional lenders, the Apprise team specializes in providing valuation insights and data analytics, as well as regulatory-compliant appraisals and consulting engagements for multifamily/commercial assets.
Walker & Dunlop (NYSE: WD) is one of the largest commercial real estate finance and advisory services firms in the United States and internationally. Our ideas and capital create communities where people live, work, shop, and play. Our innovative people, breadth of our brand, and our technological capabilities make us one of the most insightful and client-focused firms in the commercial real estate industry.
