ServiceLink’s Encompass Partner Connect™ integrations empower lenders and servicers with super-efficient ordering and scheduling capabilities.

ServiceLink continues to improve the experience of lenders and servicers using Encompass Partner Connect™ on the ICE Mortgage Technology® platform through new integrations and enhancements. One-click onboarding and ordering, automated scheduling and streamlined workflows result in faster origination, as well as pre-foreclosure efficiencies.

“Our team is focused on ensuring easy access to ServiceLink’s products and services,” says Steve Crocker, senior vice president, pre-foreclosure title services. “We are continually enhancing the features and functionality of our integrations to provide a seamless user experience that spans the end-to-end mortgage loan process — from origination through default.”

New default capabilities

Default services are the most recent addition to ServiceLink’s Encompass integration. Servicers can now easily access pre-foreclosure services for mortgage loans that have gone into default. An Encompass user can quickly order pre-foreclosure title products in all states, that meet all investor guidelines. Servicers looking to optimize their workflows can leverage Encompass’s workflow to automatically trigger default service orders when warranted.

“Our holistic solution accelerates the ordering process and enhances transparency throughout the order fulfillment lifecycle, which can reduce frustration caused by insufficient information and minimize the need for manual follow-up,” says Crocker. “Once orders are placed or automatically prompted, the user receives integrated title documentation for complete visibility into the process.”

Ajay Belambe, senior vice president, product management, says the new ServiceLink default integration streamlines the pre-foreclosure process for servicers by eliminating the need for them to go through a third party to order these products and services. “It’s one less hurdle, one less technology to deal with.”

The default services offered today are just the start of what ServiceLink has planned, Belambe adds. Additional default products and transaction capabilities are coming to Encompass soon. “Our plans involve integrating real-time scheduling of loan modifications and REO closings, execution of documents through a notary or online services, and tracking that enables visibility throughout the end-to-end journey of the loan. For loan modifications, users will be able to order and track title reports, loan modification documents, signings, recording and modified policies — all from this single platform,” he says.

Enhanced valuation features

ServiceLink has enhanced its Encompass integration for its full spectrum of origination and servicing valuation services. These enhancements build on what was already an efficient ordering process.

“The ServiceLink integration automatically pulls needed information in from Encompass to create the order and recommend the most appropriate valuation product,” explains Phillip King, vice president, valuation product management. “The lender can then say yes, that’s the product I’d like, or no, I’d like this other type instead. It’s fast and easy.”

ServiceLink’s integration also stands out for its EXOS® Valuations real-time scheduling, which is built into the platform to eliminate the back-and-forth typically associated with scheduling. With direct access to the calendars of ServiceLink’s national appraisal panel, a loan officer can instantly schedule an appraisal on behalf of their customer or empower that borrower to schedule their own appointment. Once scheduling is complete, the borrower receives appraiser information — name, photo, and car make and model — followed by regular updates that provide transparency throughout the appraisal process.

The latest enhancements to ServiceLink’s valuation integration include the following:

Automated order placement

Rather than placing an order each time a valuation is needed, lenders can now set up a workflow within Encompass that automatically prompts a valuation order when a loan hits a certain milestone.  

“A lender could set rules indicating that an automated valuation model (AVM) should be generated any time a customer signs a mortgage letter of intent for a loan under a certain dollar amount, for example, or that a full appraisal should be triggered for loans with other specifications,” King explains. “As soon as the loan hits that milestone, the AVM is automatically ordered, with no human intervention needed.”

One-click onboarding

Accessing ServiceLink’s products and services has become as easy as adding ServiceLink as an option in the admin section of Encompass. This one-click onboarding process enables a lender to place an order without delay; their profile is automatically set up when the order is received.

Split credit card payment

‍Encompass users can opt to pay for appraisals during the ordering process or send an automated payment link to the borrower. Now ServiceLink’s payment functionality can accommodate payments split over multiple cards, as well as single-card transactions. Maybe a couple wants to split the cost, or multiple parties are chipping in — processing is seamless in any circumstance.  

Enhanced user experience

‍The appraisal ordering process has been streamlined so that a loan officer can order, pay for and schedule an appraisal in just a few clicks. It takes only a minute or two, King says. Transparency has been enhanced as well, with an easier-to-read progress tracker that displays key steps in the valuation process so the user can gauge where they are in terms of wrapping up the appraisal, and clear payment breakdowns. Additional enhancements have also been made to the messaging function and document retrieval.

Streamlined title and close

ServiceLink’s Encompass title and close integration is designed to help lenders get borrowers to the closing table days sooner through one-click onboarding, fast and easy order placement, accelerated title decisioning and scheduling technology that provides the loan officer with direct, real-time access to the calendars of ServiceLink’s national signing agent panel so they can instantly book an in-person or remote closing. Confirmations, reminders and other updates ensure transparency for lender and borrower alike throughout the process.

Automated flood services

In addition to valuation, title and closing, and default services, ServiceLink provides easy access to flood solutions via Encompass. Lenders can set milestones to prompt automatic ordering of flood zone determinations, and default products such as Life of Loan and HMDA so they are pre-selected when users go through the ordering process. The flood services integration also enables one-stop shopping so users can upload documents, submit disputes and access servicing transfers all within the Encompass platform.

For lenders and servicers who use Encompass Partner Connect on the ICE Mortgage Technology platform, ServiceLink is poised to become a valuable partner. Says Crocker, “We understand the critical nature of efficiency and accuracy throughout each mortgage loan’s journey, and we’re here to provide tools and technology that ensure both.”

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