GOOD NEWS for Appraisers and Lenders – Part I

First Choice NW purchases Appraisal Management Group in Strategic Acquisition

Portland, OR – First Choice NW, an industry-leading regional provider of managed appraisal solutions for mortgage lenders, announced it has acquired Appraisal Management Group (AMG) of Tigard, OR. The newly combined organization is known as First Choice Appraisal Management (FCAM).

James Baumberger, Certified Residential Appraiser and CEO of First Choice Appraisal Management, said, “The Western Region’s continued economic growth depends upon a robust housing industry, readily available mortgage financing, and sound collateral risk management. With the acquisition of AMG, First Choice Appraisal Management’s expanded capabilities – in terms of collateral valuations, compliance expertise, panel size, speed of service, value-added services, and technology – will be of enormous benefit for mortgage lending Clients throughout the Western Region. In addition, FCAM’s high-performing Appraiser partners will continue to be rewarded with proximate assignments, prompt pay, and respectful treatment from its friendly staff. This acquisition is truly a win-win-win for all stakeholders.”

Larry Beard, Founder and Principal of AMG, said, “After careful consideration, I have decided to step away from the day to day operations of Appraisal Management Group. My first priority is to ensure that my valued Clients and Appraisers continue to receive the utmost care in this transition. So, with that thought in mind, I chose First Choice NW to continue my commitment to service, integrity, and professionalism. First Choice NW is clearly the best appraisal management company on the West Coast and will provide an elevated level of service, expertise, and professionalism benefitting my Clients and Appraisers alike.”

About Appraisal Management Group (AMG)
Appraisal Management Group is a regional appraisal management company with a tremendous reputation. AMG has a long history of successfully serving mortgage lending Clients and partnering with Appraisers.

About First Choice Appraisal Management (FCAM) www.FirstChoiceAMC.com
First Choice Appraisal Management serves more than sixty mortgage lending Clients by operating fully compliant managed appraisal solutions in CA, ID, OR, and WA. FCAM focuses on supporting its Clients’ success by operating more as a trusted partner than as a vendor. The FCAM staff also operates with genuine care and respect for Appraisers, who work diligently to deliver excellent results for Clients. Providing high-quality appraisals, with prompt service and active communications, to manage collateral risk and inform lending decisions are the core competencies of First Choice Appraisal Management.

GOOD NEWS for Appraisers and Lenders – Part II

Appraisals are not commodities! Since there is a wide variance in appraisal quality, one simple fact is inescapable:

Better Appraisals come from Better Appraisers!

It is never about “cheapest and fastest” at FCAM. Sloppy reporting and non-credible work reflects poorly on all of us, delaying loan decisions, and disrupting closing schedules. FCAM is an industry leader in paying Customary and Reasonable Fees to ensure we can recruit and register the best local Appraisers in every market area. Then our team retains the most qualified local Appraisers by rewarding them with repeat business and respect for their expertise.

Think AMC 2.0 – At First Choice Appraisal Management (FCAM), our incredibly talented Appraiser Panel drives our success. The initial AMC model was often adversarial and based on a business model that effectively reduced fees for Appraisers. FCAM operates with full transparency and with an ethical business model: Cost Plus.

ONE HUNDRED PERCENT of the appraisal fee goes to the Appraiser, who completes the assignment. FCAM charges a separately itemized administration fee to the Client for the many value-added services included in our managed appraisal solutions. First Choice Appraisal Management is Appraiser-owned, Appraiser-managed, and Appraiser friendly.

FCAM is communicating, educating, and providing professional development opportunities for Appraisers. From hosting Appraiser Luncheons and Happy Hour events, to attending national conferences, through developing and delivering training for agents and lenders, and by instructing continuing education courses, the FCAM Team works to improve professional relationships across disciplines, bridge gaps in industry knowledge, and foster better working relationships among Appraisers, Agents, and Lenders.

FCAM is fully compliant. We will do the right thing by you. And AIR is what we breathe! Our Quality Control staff works for you, not against you, to help ensure consistent appraisal quality. When challenges or problems arise, the FCAM Team will not abandon you to struggle alone. Anytime you ask for assistance, clarification or guidance, we are glad to help you. If you just want to be left alone to do your job, we are good at that, too.

If you are an Appraiser, and have read this far, you may still be skeptical. Give us a chance to prove ourselves. We are truly looking for mutually-rewarding partnerships with expert Appraisers; Partnerships based on professional courtesy, quality, integrity, and compliance. While we have high standards for our Appraiser-partners, we expect them to hold us accountable, too.

We pay Appraisers FAST, every two weeks, and we offer ACH direct deposit if you want to receive your money immediately. All we ask is that you do good work, keep us updated, be professional (nice is a plus), and honor your commitments, please. We will respond in kind and strive to support your continued success.

Trust is reciprocal and earned over time. Work with us to transform the industry and you will realize that the FCAM Team is operating in good faith to build community among the appraisal, mortgage lending, and real estate professionals of the Western United States.

Click here to join FCAM’s Team. Or email us at Info@FirstChoiceAMC.com if you are interested in staff appraiser opportunities. Thanks for your time.