DartAppraisal.com Partners with Top Yahoo eCommerce Provider eMerchant to Streamline Appraisal Order Payments

TROY, Mich., Jan. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- In advance of the new Federal Housing Administration regulations which will take effect February 15, 2010, DartAppraisal.com has partnered with eMerchant Inc. of Placentia, Calif., to provide advanced eCommerce integration solutions designed to streamline the appraisal payment process.  eMerchant, a leading provider of online payment solutions endorsed by Yahoo small business merchant services, will serve as the financial partner for DartAppraisal.com' s EZPay(TM) online payment process, a key component of the DartExpress(TM) complete HVCC/FHA solution.  

DartAppraisal.com released an updated version of its popular DartExpress(TM) system in November to ensure compliance with all new FHA regulations related to valuations.  The addition of eMerchant services allows for maximum utilization of the proprietary technology and systems offered by DartAppraisal.com.  eMerchant is one of only four companies nationwide recommended by Yahoo as a popular choice for merchant processing.

"We are excited to provide our credit card processing and gateway services to an industry innovator like DartAppraisal.com," said Bill Dumont, CEO of eMerchant Inc.

"eMerchant is a strategic partnership that will enhance our commitment to technology, innovation and customer service," said Darton Case, president of DartAppraisal.com.  "Our objective is to ensure a smooth transition to FHA compliance for our clients by expanding and improving our online suite of services."

As a leader in online payment and processing for appraisal services, DartAppraisal.com began accepting credit and debit cards in 1995.  The switch to eMerchant for these services complements plans for strategic growth through DartExpress(TM).

DartAppraisal.com originally developed the DartExpress(TM) technology in May 2009 to streamline the appraisal process for mortgage brokers while maintaining HVCC compliance.  The enhanced system now maintains compliance with all new FHA appraisal policies for FHA-insured loans, as well.  DartExpress(TM) provides a quick and easy online system to initiate an appraisal order, pay for and track the progress of the order, and finally deliver a copy to the mortgage broker and lender in full compliance with HVCC and all new and existing FHA mortgagee letters.  

The new FHA policies, adopted from recent HVCC guidelines, seek to create more independence for residential real estate appraisers, allowing them to provide fair and accurate appraisals free from pressure.  FHA issued five new mortgage letters explaining the policy changes; the following three letters apply to valuations:

Mortgagee Letter 09-28: Appraiser Independence

Mortgagee Letter 09-29: Appraisal Portability  

Mortgagee Letter 09-30: Appraisal Validity Periods

About eMerchant:  As one of the leading providers of online payment solutions, eMerchant Inc. has continued to increase their marketshare in the highly competitive merchant services industry.  Established in 2002 by well-known industry advocate, Bill Dumont, eMerchant provides a complete suite of eCommerce products including credit card acceptance and processing, e-check services, POS and gateway integration for some of the most visible websites on the net.  eMerchant is a registered and licensed ISO (Independent Sales Organization) and has brought nearly 5000 merchants to its portfolio of banking partners.  Learn more at www.emerchant.com .

DartAppraisal.com is a leading independent provider of nationwide residential real estate valuations.  The Troy, Michigan-based company provides appraisal management services, automated valuation models (AVM's), and other custom valuation solutions for more than 800 clients.  DartAppraisal.com uses leading edge proprietary and is committed to providing the highest quality and efficiency.

SOURCE DartAppraisal.com