a la mode: We Won't Ally With AVM Providers

The chief executive officer of Oklahoma City-based a la mode inc. has told appraisers that his company would "never partner with an automated valuation model provider" and declared himself to be "the appraiser's advocate."Speaking at the first annual a la mode Appraiser Convention in Las Vegas, David Biggers emphasized that he is not after a piece of the appraiser's fee because he wants appraisers to prosper so they can continue to invest in his company's offerings. Mr. Biggers suggested that one way for appraisers to halt the increasing acceptance of AVMs is to copyright their reports to make it impossible for their data to be stolen and used to create a competing product, such as an AVM. With the release of a la mode's aurora product, the appraiser will be able to apply for a copyright from within the system. (For more details, see the Feb. 28 issue of National Mortgage News.) The company can be found on the Web at http://www.alamode.com.