As a 17-year veteran appraiser I understand the time, effort and dedication required to produce credible appraisal results. Licensed appraisers are held to a high educational and ethical standard yet proposed ‘hybrid’ appraisals seek to allow untrained amateurs to perform tasks which are critical to the appraisal process.

The old saying “junk in, junk out” will become a reality and wreak havoc on the housing industry and, as a direct result, the mortgage world as well.

It is not in the consumers’ best interest to farm out integral aspects of the valuation process to those who are not trained as valuation professionals. Just as one would not want their dentist to pay her untrained neighbor to clean their teeth, we should not mislead consumers by sending their untrained neighbor to inspect their property.