Dart Appraisal Announces Integration With HUD Database, Linking Appraiser Panel to FHA Roster

TROY, MI--(Marketwired - May 9, 2013) - Dart Appraisal (www.dartappraisal.com) today announced its integration with www.HUD.gov, directly linking the appraisal management company (AMC) to an active database of nationwide appraisers qualified to complete Federal Housing Administration (FHA) assignments. As one of the first AMCs to complete a direct integration with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) database, Dart Appraisal will now have an instant comparison of its appraiser panel data against the FHA roster of appraisers, streamlining the appraisal process for FHA assignments. By automating the process by which appraisers' FHA certifications are verified, the company's efficiencies are significantly improved.

The FHA roster of appraisers is maintained by HUD and includes all appraisers currently qualified to complete FHA appraisal assignments. Appraisers included on the roster must be state-certified with credentials based on the minimum certification criteria issued by the Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) of the Appraisal Foundation, and not be listed on GSA's Excluded Parties List System (EPLS), HUD's Limited Denial of Participation (LDP) list, or HUD's Credit Alert Verification Reporting System (CAIVRS). The integration will help improve accuracy and identify any discrepancies in data from the company's nationwide appraiser panel.

Dart's existing nationwide appraiser panel fulfills more than 97 percent of the company's orders. On the rare occasion that an FHA appraisal order requires the recruitment of a new appraiser, the time needed to locate a qualified appraiser will be significantly reduced by the new integration. With the entire FHA appraiser roster located within the Dart Appraisal system, finding the right, qualified appraiser in the corresponding county or zip code is accomplished through quick and easy access to the database. Only appraisers who meet Dart's minimum requirements, including having 1,000 units experience and working in a local appraisal office of less than ten appraisers, will be considered qualified for order assignment.

"At Dart Appraisal, we continue to develop tools that will help streamline the valuation process while raising customer service standards," said Michael Dresden, executive vice president of Dart Appraisal. "The HUD integration gives lenders additional assurance that our appraisers' FHA credentials are up to date, and that FHA assignments are completed by appraisers qualified to do the job. Combined with our recent integration to the www.asc.gov database, this technology streamlines accuracy and reduces appraisal turn-time for our customers."

Dart Appraisal is an independently-owned, nationwide Appraisal Management Company (AMC) founded in 1993. For nearly two decades, the company has built a reputation of superior customer service combined with innovative technology to deliver accurate and timely residential appraisals. Thousands of orders are tracked in real time using a proprietary order management platform designed and maintained by Dart Appraisal. With a singular focus on appraisal management, Dart Appraisal has developed a direct relationship with both appraisers and clients. The company manages a nationwide appraiser panel that requires appraisers to meet stringent quality standards to ensure local competence and reliable appraisals.