Which of the following characteristics is protected under the Fair Housing Act regarding appraisals?

The Fair Housing Act establishes protections against discrimination in housing-related activities, including appraisals, based on certain characteristics. One of those protected characteristics is sex, which means that individuals cannot be discriminated against or treated unfairly in housing transactions due to their gender. This protection extends to the appraisal process, ensuring that the value assigned to a property does not vary based on the sex of the purchaser or occupant.

The other characteristics mentioned—criminal history, marital status, and income level—are not explicitly protected under the Fair Housing Act. While there may be local or state laws that could offer protections based on those characteristics, they are not included in the federal protections established by the Fair Housing Act. This highlights the importance of understanding which characteristics are federally protected to ensure fair and equitable treatment in housing-related activities.