AppraisalLink™
is an Internet based system that links the mortgage professionals with the
appraisal process. Once you have
become a member on the AppraisalLink™ site you are able to order appraisals
online and track the appraisal process from point of order through completion.
The process of a typical appraisal assignment initiated and tracked with
AppraisalLink™ is explained as follows:
Ordering
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Once a user has become an AppraisalLink™ member,
online ordering is efficient and complete.
The system utilizes the user’s personal information and company profile, which
is stored in a central database, to quickly complete the order form.
The database is organized by company, then by branch, and finally by
specific users within that branch.
So, for instance, a processor that processes loans for multiple Loan Officers
will have the entire office selection of names to chose from when filling out
the order form. That same central
database accessed by the mortgage professional is also utilized by the
appraisal company, creating an efficient and error free means of transferring
data from the mortgage office into the appraisal company’s system.
Confirmations
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Once the
online order form has been completed and sent, the client can expect an initial
confirmation within 24 hours insuring that the appraisal company has received
the order. The appraiser selected
for the assignment will attempt to call the contact person for the subject
property within 48 hours from the time of order.
Once contact has been made, and an inspection date has been set, the
client will receive another confirmation outlining the inspection date and the
proposed due date.
Work
In Process Tracking
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The personalized "Work In Process"
page for user is the backbone of AppraisalLink™.
This page provides a real time picture of all the appraisals in process
for the user. The in process table
is basically divided into five separate columns – File Number, Borrower’s Name,
Appraiser Name, Report Progress and Proposed Due Date.
The "File Number" and the "Appraiser Name" headers are links that, when
clicked, provide detailed information on the specific file and contact
information for the appraiser. The
detailed information on the file includes all the data entered into the system
when the assignment was ordered, as well as a chronological history of all
communications entered into the system pertinent to that specific file.
The information under the "Report Progress" header tracks the appraisal
along the timeline process, and is automatically updated by the daily use the
appraiser’s own personal tracking system – in other words, the simple day to
day updating that is required by the appraiser automatically updates the
client’s "Work In Process" screen.
Once the appraisal has been completed and reviewed a link called Ready to View
will appear under the header "Proposed Due Date".
When this link is clicked it will provide the client with a PDF version
of the appraisal that can be viewed and/or printed.
Communications
Log
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Specific to each and every file there is an area at
the bottom of the file detail screen that displays a chronological view of all
the communication that has transpired on that file throughout the process.
This proves to be an invaluable tool for not only day to day
communication between the mortgage professionals and the appraisal company, but
also provides a historical stamp of correspondence that holds everyone involved
in the transaction accountable.
If
you are not already an AppraisalLink™ member, we invite you to join.
Just click on New User Registration
and the site will walk your through the registration.
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