Financial Reform Act

It is amazing to me how things can get turned around so much in politics. The Financial Reform Act, which housed the Appraisal Reform Package, has turned around and bit appraisers in the butt. For those of you not familiar with this package, it included provisions to maintain protection for independent property valuations, support the use of independent appraisers, encourage "customary and reasonable" fee structure for appraisers and provide common sense guidelines for appraisal management companies, etc. I started noticing a fee change in my orders from one of the larger AMC's. After numerous calls and emails, plus declining work because of it (the fees are ridiculously low), I finally spoke with someone who indicated that a new policy has been placed into affect. Same fees for everyone. Now "customary and reasonable" should go by your area, shouldn't it? Apparently not, and there's no requirements on who/what is polled to get this fee. I was informed that I'm a top-tier appraiser which means I'll get lots of work. But that also means the lowest-tiered appraiser gets the same fee as I do. Does that make sense? And, on top of all this, do you think the financial institutions or the AMC's have reduced their fees? Probably not which means they are making more money on the backs of the homeowners and appraisers. Complaints from homeowners and Realtors have become numerous since the Home Valuation Code of Conduct was passed in 2009. Appraisers were travelling out of their area in order to work because of the AMC's low fees. Now, it's only going to get worse, and I can't say I blame them. Will things change down the line as more and more appraisers start to fight back? I don't know. But this is one appraiser who's finally had enough.