On Feb. 12th, 2009, David Bunton, President of The Appraisal Foundation issued the attached memorandum: Download Foundation White Paper Request to its Board of Trustees, the ASC, AQB, Advisory Councils and Appraisal Foundation Sponsors.  The recommendations include: regulating AMCs, restrictions on AVMs and BPOs, State enforcement, and "Best Practices" for appraisers performing federally related transactions.

REQUEST FOR COMMENTS: The Appraisal Foundation is in the process of identifying issues and recommendations that should be included in a regulatory white paper that it intends to develop in the near future and distribute to key government officials. As an individual affiliated with the Foundation, we are seeking your opinion on what improvements could be made to the existing appraiser regulatory system. This memorandum contains a series of possible recommendations. You are encouraged to comment on these recommendations and are invited to offer others as well.

POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATIONS

Below is a list of possible recommendations. While not all-inclusive, it was developed for the purpose of facilitating comment and discussion.

1) Broader enforcement powers for the ASC:

• Provide the ASC with more regulatory options by giving it the authority to fine, suspend, etc. 
• Explore the idea of giving the ASC grant making authority to the states, with a corresponding increase in the registry fee.

2) Require greater due diligence from federal financial institutions:

• Lower the de minimus amount from the existing level of $250,000 to $50,000. Many of the problem subprime loans were below the current de minimus level and were therefore outside of the appraisal requirements.
• Require the use of state certified appraisers for all transactions involving federal or state funds of $50,000 or more or for all complex transactions. Complex transactions should be clearly defined.
• Place restrictions on the use of Automated Valuation Models (AVMs) and Broker Price Opinions (BPOs).
• Define and establish minimum standards for evaluations (BPOs, AVMs, etc).
• Require the federal regulatory agencies to report to Congress (through the ASC or individually) the result of their appraisal audits and their recommendations for improvement.
• Require every federal banking agency to establish a “Chief Appraiser” position that has independent reporting authority.

3) Improve enforcement among the states:

• Allow state appraiser regulatory agencies to make better use of their licensure fees by prohibiting states from “sweeping” appraiser fees into the general fund.
• All fines collected by the state appraiser regulators should be earmarked for use by the enforcement division.
• Provide funding to states, possibly through the ASC, by requiring lenders to pay a small amount (i.e. $0.50) for each lending transaction involving federal or state funds.
• Require state board members and investigators to meet some level of minimum qualification criteria.
• Require states to immediately report adjudications to the ASC.