a la mode is first appraisal software vendor to provide appraisers with UAD compliance

Written by on April 15, 2011

Oklahoma City, OK – a la mode today released an update to its TOTAL 2011 appraisal formfilling software that includes the tools appraisers need for compliance with the government sponsored enterprises' (GSEs) Uniform Appraisal Dataset (UAD). The UAD is part of the Uniform Mortgage Data Program (UMDP), requiring a standardized dataset from all appraisers contributing to the GSEs' loan portfolios. With this update, TOTAL 2011 is the first appraisal forms software to meet the GSE standards for appraisal reports.

"The new UAD requirements are a big departure from the way appraisers are accustomed to producing reports. For us, it was critical to get the UAD solutions out to our customers as soon as possible so they could get acclimated to the changes in advance of the GSEs' Sept. 1, 2011 deadline," said Dustin Moore, President of a la mode's Real Estate Solutions Division. In addition to being first to market, the TOTAL 2011 UAD solution includes several innovative tools that help appraisers adjust to the new requirements.

TOTAL 2011 touts new UAD specific features like in-line form pop-ups, field level rules guidance, and real-time UAD compliance validation that are centered on saving appraisers' time. "Since we started this project, we've focused on making this an easy transition for appraisers. We've obsessed over things like reducing mouse clicks, effectively displaying UAD requirements, and immediately notifying appraisers when a field doesn't meet a requirement." Product EVP Phil Perkins said. "I think appraisers will appreciate all of the time-saving features we've come up with."

This update to TOTAL 2011 is a product of a la mode's labs program – a research and development environment specifically for real estate software. "It wasn't enough for us to just put out a bare-minimum update to get appraisers by. Our goal is to have the most innovative compliance solutions, and to get appraisers feedback from now until the Sept. 1 deadline. The labs is the perfect environment for this type of project." Perkins said.

With today's release, the nation's lenders are assured that over half the country's appraisers will be UAD-compliant and ready to deliver appraisal data in Native XML format. Native XML, as opposed to data extracted from static PDFs, is critical for lenders to avoid penalty fees from the GSEs, and loan closing delays.

TOTAL 2011 users can download the UAD compliance update at www.alamode.com/labs/UMDP. a la mode expects to have its compliance update for its WinTOTAL Aurora formfiller in May at which point it will formally announce a 20-city UAD-specific training seminar schedule.

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About a la mode

Founded in 1985, a la mode develops desktop, mobile, and Web tools for the real estate and mortgage industries. a la mode's mission-critical products are used by hundreds of thousands of appraisers, agents, inspectors, and lending professionals to complete the nation's real estate transactions. a la mode's state-of-the-art offices are located in Salt Lake City, Oklahoma City, and Washington, DC. For more information, visit www.alamode.com or call 1-800-ALAMODE.

Contact:

Ellana Walker

Chief Marketing Officer

a la mode

(405) 359-6587 x 505