AVM Providers Seek New Distribution Channels.

New York -- As lenders move to be more efficient, appraisers and automated valuation model vendors are answering the call. These outfits are aggressively moving to distribute their products more seamlessly and on a national scale to lenders looking to gain efficiencies in their appraisal management processes.

For example, ATM Corp. of America, a provider of settlement solutions to large, national mortgage lenders, has entered into an agreement with IRR-Residential LLC, a national residential appraisal organization, that entails that IRR will use ATM's Vision 4 technology to accept, distribute and manage appraisal orders nationwide. For ATM, IRR's decision will make IRR the first organization of independently owned and managed residential appraisal offices to take advantage of the automation that its technology delivers.

Specifically, with this engagement, ATM opens a new market for its services as it continues to build on the momentum of several large-scale client engagement wins in 2006, including Equifax and Home Connects, a subsidiary of GMAC Residential. Beginning in early 2007, IRR will offer its clients and affiliate members access to the technology through an ASP model to increase its ability to automate the assignment and delivery of property valuations.

Through the use of ATM's appraisal module, IRR will be able to increase the volume of appraisal assignments it can handle, while achieving cost efficiencies. "The idea was to use that technology to target the residential appraisal world," said Jim Gladden, EVP of sales at ATM. "From there, they needed the technology to tie all their appraisal franchises together. So, the solution that they offer a lender will allow them to get that out to the industry and also to process those orders.

"We have significant vendor management experience so it was a good business partnership for us," he added. "They looked for 18 months and eventually signed an agreement with us. IRR will compete in the market with ...