It would violate the State law for an unlicensed person to get a commission in the brokering of a real estate transaction --- its a regulated business. 

Costa-Hawkins forbid vacancy control, wherein rent is regulated when there's a vacancy.

That way you know the laws and regulations for the state you're in.5) Constantly educate yourself.

Maybe call the state board that regulates appraisers and ask them what they think of this practice and what recourse you may have. 

However there are also many areas completely regulating that out of business.

Make sure if you go that route, you understand your local rules and regulations regarding short term rentals before you jump in.

Well by 98 I had bought two more developments in Oregon as regulations at the time were a fraction of CA..

Lots of layout changes due to new regulations and all that.  

But things like water heaters, appliances and just many building materials in general are made so poorly now, efficiencies keep improving, regulations keep changing, and prices on these things have come down so that the repair or replace question is now a toss up. 

It was a simple project that took me a day, and they were bidding around $5000 for the unit, I got it done for $1200.Legislative Program Review and Investigations Committee (click that link for full text) says "Current law and regulations. Regulations