FHA and ePortal Submissions

The accommodations made by FHA to enable the logging of an FHA case # by the originating broker has some trickle over to the LO world. As with HVCC, FHA is explicitly supporting ePortal submissions from originating agents (LOs, Brokers, others in "loan production staff") and activated by the lender. So the same mechanisms available for the TPO agent, the broker, will be usable by the LOs in theory. Lenders will stipulate their own policies; but it will be allowable to have LOs use ePortal technologies to trigger appraisals. They just will not be able to select the appraiser.
 
The FHA snag was around the FHA Connection required inclusion of the appraiser info. Reportedly, the systems have been revised to allow the issuance of a case # without an appraiser assignment. The updating of the appraiser info in FHA Connection is made later in the cycle (after the initial case # was assigned).
 
Here is a snippet:

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"Starting Feb. 15, brokers can secure a case number for FHA loans online without inputting appraiser information. .... Under the new regime, the FHA-approved lender can input the appraiser information when the appraisal is completed. This approach preserves the mortgage broker's ability to get FHA case numbers and shop loans to several wholesalers." http://www.brokeruniverse.com/news/
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The growing popularity of the ePortal approach is having another benefit. The originating agents are better positioned to capture certain borrower info (when a good time to call to schedule the physical inspection, is there a dog, etc). Originating agents are also able to keep tabs on milestone updates to be sure the loan remains on schedule for the closing date. Originating agents are part of the ecosystem. The system will be more efficient as more ecosystem  participants are empowered to engage in appropriate communication and activities.