"Real estate valuations, whichencompass appraisals and otherestimation methods, have come underincreased scrutiny in the wake of therecent mortgage crisis. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform andConsumer Protection Act (the Act)mandated that GAO study the variousvaluation methods and the optionsavailable for selecting appraisers, aswell as the Home Valuation Code ofConduct (HVCC), which establishedappraiser independence requirementsfor mortgages sold to Fannie Mae andFreddie Mac (the enterprises). GAOexamined (1) the use of differentvaluation methods, (2) factors affectingconsumer costs for appraisals andappraisal disclosure requirements, and(3) conflict-of-interest and appraiserselection policies and views on theirimpact. To address these objectives,GAO analyzed government andindustry data; reviewed academic andindustry literature; examined federalpolicies and regulations, professionalstandards, and internal policies andprocedures of lenders and appraisalmanagement companies (AMC); andinterviewed a broad range of industryparticipants and observers."