Newsletter Archive

Metro-West Appraisal taps a la mode’s TOTAL and Mercury Network to provide highest quality appraisal

February 28, 2013

a la mode announced today that Metro-West, the largest independent staff appraisal firm in the nation, now provides staff appraisers with a la mode's (tm) full suite of software, including TOTAL formfilling products, eliminating the previous requirement to use ACI software. The TOTAL family of software products is the dominant appraisal report platform in the industry, used by more than half of all appraisers nationwide. In conjunction, Metro-West has launched a MercuryDirect plugin with Mercury Network to ensure the highest quality appraisals for its growing list of lenders. Read More...

a la mode wins Transforming Valuations award

October 29, 2012

Appraisal technology pioneer a la mode, inc. was presented with Mortgage Technology Magazine's coveted "Transforming Valuations" award on October 21st, the opening day of the 99th Annual Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) Convention & Expo in Chicago. The Transforming Valuations Award recognizes technology advancements in the appraisal, broker price opinion or automated valuation sectors. Runners-up were CoreLogic and Platinum Data. Read More...

Mercury Network adds Appraisal Quality Management system to product lineup

October 22, 2012

From the 99th Annual Mortgage Bankers Association Annual Convention, a la mode announced today the launch of Mercury Network’s new Appraisal Quality Management system (AQM). The AQM service, available only on Mercury Network, guides underwriters to the issues in each appraisal with actionable recommendations, and produces investor-ready loan files with the goal of dramatically reducing repurchase risk. Read More...

a la mode releases TOTAL 2011, touts more time saving tools for appraisers

March 08, 2011

OKLAHOMA CITY -- a la mode today released its latest version of industry-leading formfilling software for appraisers, TOTAL 2011. Appraisers today are facing increasingly shorter deadlines from lenders and appraisal management companies. TOTAL 2011 was developed as the fastest, most efficient formfiller ever to address this need. “Every day appraisers tell us they need to get more done in less time, so we’ve added several outstanding features to help them do just that,” said Brad Eaton, chief product officer at a la mode. Read More...

a la mode expanding Mercury Network to offer Broker Price Opinions (BPO)

February 23, 2011

Dallas, TX — From the floor of the Mortgage Bankers Association’s National Mortgage Servicing Conference, a la mode today announced the expansion of the Mercury Network Vendor Management Platform (VMP) to also offer Broker Price Opinions (BPOs). Mercury Network is the premier VMP, allowing the nation’s largest lenders and appraisal management companies to manage appraisals nationwide. The popular platform will soon connect these same clients to real estate agents and brokers via a one-of-a-kind BPO service. Read More...

Non-lender form debuts to much acclaim

February 08, 2007

More room to describe the intended user and use. An expanded Improvements section without the 1004-style check boxes. The ability to really drill down on highest and best use. Better and more effective disclaimers that protect you. There's a lot to like about WinTOTAL's new General Purpose - Residential form, a new non-lender form available right now to WinTOTAL users. Read More...

Don’t just target homeowners for non-lender work - drill down on FSBOs

February 08, 2007

You may have heard that the percentage of sales not involving a real estate agent -- For Sale By Owners, or FSBOs -- is declining. According to National Association of REALTORS® data, 12 percent of home sales are agent-free today, down from 13 percent in 2005. But with 2006 being the third-highest year on record for existing home sales, 12 percent is more than three quarters of a million FSBOs per year. Read More...

Identity protection and fraud deterrence coming in robust, convenient new program called SureDocs

January 25, 2007

Protecting your identity and the integrity of the data in your reports is a constant concern. To help you do that we’ve built Appraiser SureDocs. It will debut as a "public beta" — meaning you can try it for free, and provide (we hope) unfiltered feedback on the product — starting January 30. Appraiser SureDocs is a powerful tool you can use to protect your identity and the integrity of your reports, as well as maintain control over your intellectual property. Read More...

National media explores issue of appraisal report ownership

January 25, 2007

A new article by a nationally-syndicated real estate columnist is bringing the issue of data stripping and ownership of appraisal reports to the fore. Read More...

Value-skewing potential of buyer incentives increasing

January 04, 2007

Some time ago we wrote in this space about the unique problem of accounting for buyer incentives in a normalizing housing economy with a lot of inventory for sale. Based on the response, it was an issue you care about and are dealing with a lot. Now, more economists and housing sector watchers are paying attention, too. Read More...

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