IRR-Residential, a national leader in real estate appraisal services for lenders and attorneys with franchise offices nationwide, has spun off from Integra Realty Resources and changed its name to Accurity Valuation. The company, which operates as a franchisor, will continue to render its services to customers through an expanding nationwide network of franchise and member appraisers, thereby giving experienced valuation professionals an alternative to working for an appraisal management company (AMC).

Accurity Valuation provides residential and light commercial appraisals, default valuations, relocation services, pre- and post-funding quality control, forensic reviews and specialized services to mortgage lenders, government agencies, attorneys and others. A trusted ally during disputes over property value, Accurity Valuation assists lenders, risk managers, lawyers and chief appraisers with repurchase demands and litigation cases, with particular expertise in valuation analytics, expert witness testimony and disbursement services. 

Accurity Valuation has restructured its ownership, board of directors and corporate management. Former IRR-Residential chief appraiser and compliance officer Thomas Munizzo, IFA, CAR, DAR, has been appointed president of Accurity Valuation. Munizzo is a former president (2006) of the National Association of Independent Fee Appraisers (NAIFA). He currently serves on NAIFA’s legislative coalition and is the group’s Appraisal Foundation Board of Trustees representative.

Munizzo also serves on the Industry Advisory Council (IAC) and holds a Certified General Appraisal license in Illinois. In addition to having highly experienced leadership, individual Accurity Valuation franchises are led by managing directors with an average of more than 25 years of experience in their respective markets, and include some of the most accomplished, recognized leaders in the valuation industry. 

“For nearly a decade, IRR-Residential has stood apart from other appraisal companies based on the local expertise and analytical mindset that remains prevalent among our organization,” Munizzo said. “As Accurity Valuation, we will build on this reputation while developing the strongest and most knowledgeable full-service appraisal company our industry has ever seen.”

Through the company’s new Affiliate Membership Program (AMP), Munizzo said Accurity Valuation will serve as an option for professional appraisers who want to keep their independence yet maintain work from larger clients. By joining Accurity Valuation, appraisers will benefit from the company’s working relationships with respected regional and national clients. Accurity Valuation will also continue to work with appraisal management companies (AMCs) that pay “reasonable and customary” fees to appraisers as mandated by recent federal legislation. 

In addition to its franchise initiative, Accurity Valuation launched a new website through which customers can find and receive quotes for service based on an appraiser’s areas of expertise and local market knowledge. On the website, users can also email questions directly to an appraisal expert and click on a U.S. map to find any Accurity franchise or member nationwide. 

“Because of our extensive reach and the unparalleled talent of our appraisal experts, Accurity Valuation is capable of handling any valuation need on a local, regional and national level,” said Richard Shackelford, executive vice president of sales and marketing for the company. “Meanwhile, our new website provides a single point of contact for lenders, attorneys and other clients to access our franchise offices, products and services nationwide with speed and ease.”