The appraisal industry is now being looked at through a microscope, and nothing gets past the magnifying lens. Appraisers are sometimes singled out to blame for the mortgage meltdown of 2008, and with problems (or perception) comes consequences. As a result, appraisers have been operating in a much stricter environment during the last five years than they ever thought possible.

The rules under the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the Dodd-Frank financial reform bill and the latest state licensing requirements have added to the quality control pressures on the industry. With more state and federal regulations coming, appraisers are expected to follow a growing laundry list of do’s and don’ts, but there are a number of ways appraisers can effectively perform while maintaining full compliance.