LRES has launched an updated version of its auto assignment technology to further streamline and accelerate the placement, tracking and completion of appraisal and BPO order requests for qualified service providers. LRES’ auto assignment technology automates the selection process and ensures that the most appropriate appraiser or real estate agent receives each assignment. The system achieves this by automatically matching the assignment to the proximity of the subject property, while taking into account turn-time and quality.Click to continue

The Appraisal Institute has published guidance to help appraisers understand exposure time and how to incorporate its analysis into an appraisal. The Appraisal Institute’s “Guide Note 14: Concept of Exposure Time” addresses how appraisers should link exposure time to their value opinion and comply with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). Exposure time refers to the time a property remains on the market.Click to continue

The Appraisal Institute has published guidance to help appraisers learn what evaluations are, when they are used and who can prepare them. The Appraisal Institute’s “Guide Note 13: Performing Evaluations of Real Property Collateral for Lenders” addresses how appraisers should prepare an evaluation for a lender and comply with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).Click to continue

Comergence has announced the launch of its due diligence and surveillance service for the appraisal industry called Eagle Eye, a powerful new solution for the management of background checks on appraisers. Comergence has simplified and lowered the expense of the appraiser due diligence process by providing lenders and appraisal management companies (AMCs) with a system that will allow them to make more informed decisions on the appraisers with whom they are doing business.Click to continue

With the world population estimated to have re­cently passed seven billion, the global freshwater market will be a “seller’s market” for the foreseeable future, according to a new book by the nation’s largest professional association of real estate appraisers. The Appraisal of Water Rights, published by the Appraisal Institute, encourages appraisers to become geographically competent in order to provide credible, reliable opinions of value for properties involving water rights.Click to continue

Nationwide Appraisal & Settlement Network (NASN) has announced the release of its mobile Web site for clients and vendors on the go. The new mobile site offers no more waiting for the appraiser to get to an actual computer or to find the time to call and update files. Another added benefit for their clients on the go is instant communication with the NASN team by either logging on or by sending a message right through the mobile site.Click to continue

ISGN Corporation has launched a new smartphone application for its Gators browser-based settlement services and vendor management system designed to assist appraisers, title abstractors and closing agents out in the field. The app soon will be available for the iPhone at the Apple Store where it can be downloaded. ISGN also plans to support apps for the Android phone, the Blackberry and other smartphone platforms. The app enables the vendor to accept, decline or update orders while out in the field providing more efficient use of their time.Click to continue

Indecomm Global Services, a business process outsourcing company, is expanding its Collateral Review Service to a broad base of clients. Indecomm’s Collateral Review Service employs licensed appraisers to perform independent reviews of appraisal reports and collateral-related documents for residential mortgage transactions. The service identifies deficiencies and inconsistencies, which may arise as a result of collateral appraisals and evaluations and put the lender at risk.Click to continue

Responding to a new study indicating that mortgage fraud in the U.S.Click to continue

Builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes declined for the first time in seven months this April, sliding three notches to 25 according to the latest National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI). The decline brings the index back to where it was in January, which was the highest level since 2007.Click to continue