Like no event in history, the real estate appraisal industry has been slandered, steered, and stomped into submission. Charged and convicted of a crime they did not commit. Big banking is leading a new revolution, taking real estate appraisers out of the mortgage lending process. Enter computerized home valuation services, being promoted as the "technology-based" saviors to the home buying public. The greatest sales job ever, sold to a real estate weary public who just wants to know they are paying a fair price. Discover the misinformation that is killing an entire industry that consumers need now more than ever before. Caveat Emptor!

Who wants appraisers removed from the mortgage lending process and why? Follow the Golden Rule as we explore how the real estate crisis began, how appraisers were the easiest target for reform, how the HVCC was created and the real reason why, the dangers of using automated valuation models, the public records and MLS information crisis, and discover a five step solution.

The independent real estate appraiser is being driven out of the business by the same forces that borrowed billions from the taxpayer in the form of a bailout, speculated in an over-leveraged derivatives market, and swallowed each other up after years of mismanagement. Why should anybody care? Because the housing recovery is dependent on transparency that we have not seen in more than a decade. Public Trust Betrayed: The Truth Behind the Real Estate Appraisal Industry emphasizes that there must be transparency and objectivity in the mortgage and evaluation process if we are to solve the current credit crisis and what we must change in the financial industry to prevent another economic meltdown. As a result of fraud, conflicts of interest, over-valuations, and lax underwriting standards, the entire lending industry must be examined and changed if any meaningful housing recovery is to be accomplished. 'Appraisal issues played a major role in the housing boom and bust. To get an insider's view of that historic and horrendous cycle -- and the troubling reality of where we are now -- read this book.' --Ken Harney, Syndicated Columnist, Washington Post Writers Group 'This is one man's story about the deceptions he saw in the home appraisal market, deceiving homeowners and lenders alike. It will open your eyes.' --Jane Bryant Quinn, author of Making the Most of Your Money NOW Author James Manning gives the reader rare insights into the pressures being placed on today's real estate appraiser in an easy-to-read format, a folksy delivery, and with real-life experiences sprinkled throughout.

Don't get caught legally unaware-- This book is a must read for real estate appraisers, brokers and attorneys. It explains in a clear way the sometimes difficult but important areas of the law that impact the real estate and legal professions. Some of the main areas covered are how to become an outstanding expert witness, malpractice, ethics, standards of proof, stare decisis, attorney ploys on cross examination, how to become an excellent expert witness, how to bullet proof an appraisal, negligence, common mistakes appraisers make, how to compare two appraisals on the same property. The book is laced with illustrative examples and citations to the court reports. There is also a five page key word index for easy reference. It is organized so that concepts, principles, guidelines, techniques and recommendations presented will have an immediate, medium and long term positive impact on the appraiser who wants to improve the quality of an appraisal or an attorney who wants to gain better insight into appraisal and legal concepts or someone from any profession who wants to learn to become an outstanding expert witness.