Millions of real estate transactions are processed each year in the United States. Almost all of them require some sort of appraisal. Using tools like our web site - complete with the ability to order appraisals on-line - allows clients to shave valuable time off the process of ordering and tracking appraisals. Technologies like a la mode's net.X network are advancing this concept even further, giving its users the ability to not only order appraisals, but track their progress all the way until delivery.

A la Mode net.X technology, integrates and leverages a range of desktop and internet applications and data sources to extend the network to the desktops of our clients. A la Mode net.X technology allows clients to place, track & deliver orders via the internet 24 hours a day 7 days a week 365 days a year. This technology is compatible with leading mortgage industry plug-ins including but not limited to the following:

• ACS Delivery
• AppraisalPort
• eAppraiseIT Wizard
• Lighthouse
• RealEC
• RELS/ValueIT

DeliveryData Gathering

The appraisal process is nothing if not a data intensive process. Appraisers spend a lot of their time gathering both specific information about the subject property and general data about the local market and developing trends. Once again, technology has stepped in to help appraisers. The Internet has revolutionized the ability of appraisers to get quality data in a fraction of the time it once took.

Report delivery

We have forsaken the old print-and-snail mail route for a much more efficient electronic delivery system. Utilizing Adobe's Portable Document Format (PDF) files, we can deliver a complete, multi-page report, complete with digital photos and maps, through simple e-mail. Now, instead of waiting for the daily mail, or paying for expensive courier services, our customers can simply log into their company email system and retrieve all the appraisals at one time.

With a la mode's net.X network before an appraisal is ever delivered, this cutting edge technology reviews the report and ensures that it meets certain guidelines. These items can be checked automatically and the appraiser notified of any deficiency.

Digital Workfile

One of the purposes of an appraisal is as a legal document outlining the condition of the property at the time of sale. By storing every aspect of the appraisal - notes, sketches, supporting documentation and calculations - along with the appraisal, we are able to retrieve that report at any time within the five years and recall just what that report was about. We use technology like a la mode's Digital Workfile to electronically include all supporting documents as part of the appraisal file. These files are stored securely on searchable media, such as a la mode's Vault, where we can find them in a fraction of the time required in the past. This helps our clients by giving them immediate, virtual access to any appraisal they've ordered within the past 5 years.

These are just a few examples of how technology helps us to improve the business workflows of our customers. Investing in the right software allows us to deliver reports quicker, more efficiently and with higher degrees of accuracy.