Appraisal Manager

JMAC Lending•Costa Mesa, CA

1d•$29 - $34•Remote

About The Position

The Appraisal Manager plays a pivotal role in steering appraisal operations, managing vendor relationships, and ensuring top-notch appraisal quality across all loan channels. This position is the key liaison with appraisal management companies (AMCs) and appraisers, responsible for tracking vendor performance metrics, overseeing appraisal-related policies, and acting as the go-to expert for resolving complex appraisal challenges. Collaborating closely with Underwriting leadership, the Senior Appraisal Support Specialist, and Appraisal Coordinators, the Appraisal Manager ensures that appraisal processes remain compliant, efficient, and in line with investor and regulatory standards. Additionally, this role partners with internal technology teams to enhance and streamline appraisal management systems, including Mercury Network. This is a Full-Time/Fully Remote opportunity with working hours from 8:00am-5:00pm in any US time zone Monday-Friday offering competitive pay ranging from $29.00 to $34.00 per hour.

Requirements

7+ years of mortgage industry experience with a strong focus on appraisal operations.
Prior experience managing AMCs, appraisers, or vendor relationships required.
Experience working closely with underwriting teams on appraisal-related decisions.
Strong working knowledge of: USPAP Appraisal Independence Requirements (AIR) ECOA Valuations Rule FNMA, FHLMC, FHA, and VA appraisal guidelines
Ability to review and interpret appraisal reports and appraisal forms (e.g., 1004, 1025, 1073, 2055, etc.).
Proficiency with appraisal management platforms (Mercury Network strongly preferred).
Experience with loan origination systems (e.g., Encompass).
Strong vendor management and negotiation skills.
Excellent analytical and reporting capabilities.
Ability to manage escalations and make sound decisions in high-risk scenarios.
Strong communication skills with the ability to influence across departments.
High attention to detail and quality-focused mindset.

Nice To Haves

Prior leadership or supervisory experience preferred (direct or indirect).

Responsibilities

Take charge of cultivating and managing relationships with our approved appraisal management companies (AMCs) and appraisers.
Keep a close eye on vendor performance metrics, including turnaround times, quality trends, fee accuracy, and adherence to service-level agreements.
Perform regular vendor assessments and deliver insightful reports to leadership on the performance of our appraisal partners.
Proactively tackle vendor-related escalations, disputes, and performance issues, implementing corrective measures as necessary.
Evaluate and authorize appraisal fees, adjust fee changes, and resolve invoice discrepancies promptly..
Assess appraisal reports to ensure their quality, accuracy, and compliance whenever escalations come up.
Offer expert advice on appraisal corrections, reconsiderations of value (ROVs), and intricate appraisal challenges.
Collaborate closely with Underwriting Managers and teams to identify the best resolution strategies for appraisal-related conditions and escalations.
Supervise or lead the appraisal review process to support underwriting efforts, as needed.
Craft, refine, and uphold policies, procedures, and resources related to appraisals.
Guarantee adherence to Appraisal Independence Requirements (AIR), ECOA Valuations Rule, USPAP, and the guidelines set forth by investors such as FNMA, FHLMC, FHA, and VA.
Assist in internal audits, investor assessments, and regulatory reviews concerning appraisals.
Keep a close eye on regulatory shifts and investor updates, making necessary adjustments to our processes or policies as required.
Lead and mentor the Sr. Appraisal Support Specialist and Appraisal Coordinators by providing clear direction on appraisal workflows and priorities.
Work closely with the Sr. Appraisal Support Specialist to ensure that all administrative appraisal desk tasks are performed accurately and within designated service level agreements (SLAs).
Act as a primary point of contact for addressing any operational, quality, or compliance concerns related to appraisals.
Engage collaboratively with teams from Sales, Operations, Compliance, and Post-Closing as the need arises.
Act as the key business owner for our appraisal management systems, including the Mercury Network.
Collaborate closely with the Applications/IT team to manage system configurations, drive improvements, integrate vendors, and troubleshoot any issues that arise.
Guarantee that system workflows are in perfect harmony with appraisal policies, compliance requirements, and operational needs.
Engage actively in the testing and rollout of updates or enhancements related to our appraisal systems.
Create and assess appraisal performance reports, encompassing vendor scorecards, turnaround times, aging pipelines, and quality metrics.
Examine trends and uncover opportunities to enhance vendor performance and improve processes.
Deliver consistent reports and valuable insights to senior leadership.