A mortgage application is more than just forms and signatures—it’s the start of someone’s dream of owning a home. And from that first call to the day they get the keys, the process can take a few unexpected turns. Lenders and the teams supporting them know this well. The challenge is always the same: finding solid information quickly and feeling confident in each step forward.
That’s where Veros Real Estate Solutions’ ValuSTREAM, and optimized third-party tested automated valuation model (AVM) cascade, comes in. It’s a partner for the entire journey, making each step smoother and giving lenders the confidence to move forward. Let’s walk through a typical mortgage loan and see how ValuSTREAM makes a difference every step of the way.
The First Call: Setting the Right Expectations
Imagine you’re Sarah, a mortgage loan officer. A potential borrower, Mark, gives you a call because he’s just toured a home that feels like the right fit and wants to get prequalified quickly. Sarah enters the property address, and ValuSTREAM gets to work.
It’s not just relying on one AVM; it’s running a cascade, a sequence that undergoes rigorous quarterly, independent third-party testing powered by CotalityTM OptiVal®. This testing uses real-world data from both purchase and non-purchase transactions, so the system knows exactly which AVMs perform best in that specific county.
In just moments, ValuSTREAM delivers a value with a high confidence score. With that information, Sarah can now offer Mark prequal letters or offers of likely terms, which helped her build trust and establish clear expectations right from the start.
Underwriting: A Check on Accuracy
Fast forward a few weeks. The loan application has moved to underwriting, and a traditional appraisal has been completed. Now the underwriter’s job is to double-check that everything looks right.
This is where ValuSTREAM shines as a powerful quality control tool. The underwriter can run a quick valuation using ValuSTREAM’s cascade, which has been optimized for accuracy. This gives them a strong, independent benchmark to compare against the appraisal. If the numbers line up, the underwriter can sign off with confidence. But if there’s a noticeable difference, ValuSTREAM helped provide a value for comparison. This isn’t about second-guessing the appraiser; it’s about having a robust, independently tested data point that helps lenders make a more informed decision and a more thorough review.
Servicing: Addressing Uncertainty with a Clear View
Years later, the market has shifted dramatically, and the borrower, Mark, is facing a hardship due to being laid off from work. He’s in a forbearance program, and the servicer needs to quickly understand the property’s current value to figure out the best path forward. A full appraisal would be too slow and expensive.
ValuSTREAM offers a perfect solution. The servicer can get an instant valuation for the property, relying on the cascade’s high coverage to ensure they get a result even in a challenging market. Because the data is refreshed regularly to adapt to market changes, the valuation reflects current conditions. This fast, dependable information allows the servicer to make a quick, data-driven decision on a loss mitigation strategy that works for everyone.
From that initial pre-qual to managing a loan in forbearance, ValuSTREAM provides a continuous stream of reliable data. It’s a pre-configured solution that takes the complexity of building a cascade off your plate, all while ensuring you stay compliant. It simply gives lenders the confidence and flexibility to make better, data-backed decisions at every stage of the loan journey.
Ready to see how ValuSTREAM can transform your mortgage lending process? Learn more and connect with the Veros team today.
