An appraisal fee issue erupted in a federal appeals court when a borrower alleged that Rels Valuation and Wells Fargo ran an “inflated appraisal fee scheme,” violating RESPA. The district court dismissed the claims, finding the borrowers failed to show a "thing of value" was exchanged for a referral and failed to allege unlawful fee splitting occurred, chalking up a win for Rels Valuation and Wells Fargo.