The document defines key terms related to appraisals such as market value, price, and cost. It discusses the appraiser's role as a neutral third party providing objective opinions of value. It also summarizes major pieces of legislation that impacted appraisal practices, including FIRREA in response to the savings and loan crisis of the 1980s and the Dodd-Frank Act following the housing bubble and financial crisis of the late 2000s. Finally, it outlines the structure of appraiser regulation through professional associations, The Appraisal Foundation, the Appraisal Subcommittee, and state regulatory agencies that issue appraiser licenses.