InHouse Inc. has announced that it has introduced new underwriter queues in its InHouse Connexions appraisal process management platform to improve the quality of appraisal submissions while enhancing lender compliance with government-sponsored enterprise (GSE) and regulatory requirements. The InHouse Connexions cloud-based platform allows lenders to automate the management of appraisals using their own preferred appraisers, AMCs, or any combination of providers they desire—including InHouse Solutions, InHouse Inc.’s own AMC.Click to continue

ValuTrac Software and Platinum Data Solutions have announced they have entered into a partnership that sets a new standard for a single, end-to-end appraisal quality verification and management technologies solution.Click to continue

Value Services LLC has announced that it has changed its name to reflect the mortgage industry's growing demand for service and value in the appraisal market.Click to continue

Six federal financial regulatory agencies have issued the final rule that establishes new appraisal requirements for "higher-priced mortgage loans." The rule implements amendments to the Truth in Lending Act made by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (Dodd-Frank Act). Under the Dodd-Frank Act, mortgage loans are higher-priced if they are secured by a consumer's home and have interest rates above certain thresholds.Click to continue

Solidifi and Kirchmeyer & Associates have joined forces in a deal that will see Solidifi become the third largest independent provider of residential real estate appraisals in the country. The combined entity will operate under the Solidifi name. "Following a $22 million financing in 2012, Solidifi is in growth mode and Kirchmeyer is an important part of our overall growth strategy. It is the ideal fit for Solidifi," said Jason Smith, Solidifi's president and CEO.Click to continue

CoesterVMS has implemented its flat fee model for residential appraisals. Under the flat fee model, which took effect on Jan. 1, 2013, all conventional appraisals are priced at $450 while FHA appraisals are $475. Appraisal management companies (AMCs) generallyutilize a tiered fee structure, whereby prices are determined based on the property type or the state in which the property is located.Click to continue

Title Source, a Detroit-based title, appraisal, and settlement services company, is looking to fill more than 400 positions by March 2013. The bulk of the new positions will be based in Detroit, with 375 open positions. Title Source is hiring 10 title clearance specialists in Pennsylvania, and ten escrow admins, along with junior escrow officers in California. Title Source is also hiring abstractors, examiners, title clearance analysts, vendor service specialists, HUD reviewers, disbursement analysts, and final policies specialists in Texas.Click to continue

If you watched the 2012 Olympics, you already know something about valuation cascades, even if you didn’t realize it. A number of events involve multi-layered judging criteria, including diving, gymnastics or dressage. The realm of automated valuation model (AVM) cascades is similar, though obviously more complex, in execution. After careful review of performance by weighting various metrics, an AVM “cascade” is the identification of the best performer for the first, second and third (valuation) positions … or Gold, Silver and Bronze if you will.Click to continue

Lender Processing Services Inc. (LPS) has announced the launch of Valuation Insight, a new solution that provides appraisal evaluations through LPS' Loan Quality Gateway. Valuation Insight features customizable business rules and combines LPS' extensive proprietary databases with external data sources to evaluate an appraisal; create efficiencies using workflow; reduce turn times and disputes; and identify potential repurchase issues.Click to continue

Inc. Magazine ranked US Appraisal Group 319th on its 31st annual Inc. 500, an exclusive ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. It was also ranked the 11th fastest growing real estate company in the country, and the 13th fastest growing company in the Chicago Metro area. The list represents the most comprehensive look at the most important segment of the economy—America’s independent entrepreneurs.Click to continue