Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of The Appraisal Foundation?

The Appraisal Foundation is a private, not-for-profit organization that was established in 1987, and while it plays a significant role in developing appraisal standards and qualifications, its creation was not mandated by federal law. Instead, it was founded by appraisers and appraisal organizations with the purpose of promoting and improving appraisal practice in the United States.

The characteristics that the organization does possess include a lack of legal enforcement authority, as it cannot directly enforce its guidelines or standards but rather provides recommendations and frameworks for appraisers to follow. Additionally, it is a private entity that operates independently, and it actively offers a wide range of educational resources to help appraisers enhance their knowledge and skills. Thus, stating that it was established by federal law does not accurately reflect the Foundation's origins or operational context.