Products & Services

Meet Your Business Needs & Remain Compliant.

The Team at Star Appraisal understands “not one size fits all”.  As a licensed appraisal management company and division of Credit Information Systems, our plan is to more than meet your needs & help you succeed by providing you with the right solutions, along with the exemplary customer service we are revered for!  That’s why we want to learn more about your business directly from you so we can best create your customized solution that includes the necessary products & services.

To answer your questions and exceed your expectations with our quick and responsive service is why we come to work each day. You’ll feel secure in a partnership with us knowing our subject matter experts are working hard to stay on top of industry standards to ensure you have the products and services required to keep your process flowing and in compliance.

If  you want top-notch quality and personal attention, then you’ve found the right partner with Star Appraisal Management Company.  Our Team ensures that through every step in the process you’ll be beyond pleased with our service.  That service is just one of the reasons we have such loyal clients!

The Star Appraisal Management Company Team’s job is to make the appraisal management process as smooth as possible for you and your customers by providing superior service and industry expertise.

We approach full-service Appraisal Management with speed and accuracy and answer phone calls and emails – promptly.

And, here are just a few more of the many benefits of our full-service appraisal management option:

  • All communication between you and the appraiser is monitored to ensure reports are completed in a timely manner and updates are made along the way. 
  • Appraisal reports are reviewed for completeness.
  • Assistance with disputes regarding the appraised value is provided.
  • The appraiser is advised of any underwriting conditions or corrections needed.
  • With approval, reports are submitted to UCDP or EAD.
  • The option to email an appraisal report to a borrower is  available.
  • Process payments to panel appraisers on your behalf and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
  • Star Appraisal strives to provide compliant resources through our web-based, secure technology which features blind rotation of appraisers and communications monitoring. 

Our flexibility allows you to create a panel of appraisers you know and trust. Or, we can assist you in finding a qualified appraiser in a less familiar market. 

Licensed in the following states:

  • Nebraska – NE2012083
  • Iowa – 00050
  • Kansas – KS101
  • Missouri – 2014009435
  • South Dakota – SD-1117-2023
  • Connecticut – 266
  • Massachusetts – 161

Star AMC operates to assist in Appraisal Independence Requirements functions within state and national appraisal industry requirements.

At Star Appraisal Management Co., we ensure our appraisers possess the geographic and product competence required to deliver accurate and timely appraisal reports.

Questions?  You’re our priority – call us at 800-875-7402 for answers.

We’re here to help, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. CST.

Experience significant gains in appraisal process efficiency with Appraisal Firewall’s extensive, customizable feature set.

Appraisal Firewall was developed to help lenders of all sizes cope with the ever-changing regulatory landscape. Millions of appraisals go through Appraisal Firewall in a safe, compliant environment that encourages local relationships.

Here are a few features and benefits of Appraisal Firewall:

  • Manage order lists quickly and customize your view.
  • The Appraisal Firewall communication system keeps all parties aware of every appraisal order’s progress to completion.
  • Effective team and user management features provide organizational oversight.
  • Activity tracking and management reporting ensures you know what’s happening with orders, appraisers, users and costs… all the time.
  • Easy and flexible payment solutions for all loan products and preferences.
  • Quality control features are in place to protect the lending business and manage appraisal risk. You can pick and choose the features you want to enable.  
  • Comprehensive risk management with multi-layered features to reduce cost.
  • Automated workflow to help streamline appraisal delivery to completion.
  • Regulatory compliance features for double-blind, automatic order assignment to appraisers.
  • Track every message back and forth from lender to appraiser and all system activities on every order.
  • FEMA disaster monitoring so you can instantly know if any collateral properties in a declared disaster area.

Development continues to further enhance everyone’s lending experience while minimizing the challenges posed by the changing regulatory environment. 

Questions?  You’re our priority – call us at 800-875-7402 for answers.

We’re here to help, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. CST.

Use Appraisal Firewall as your technology solution to efficiently & effectively manage your appraisal process. 

Keep your appraisal process organized & meet more closing dates as you work within compliance guidelines in a highly regulated environment.

Benefits of Appraisal Firewall’s Tech Only Solution:

  • FLEXIBLE, user-friendly, secure platform to manage your entire appraisal process.
  • CUSTOMIZE and automate your own assessment processes.
  • Dodd-Frank Act Compliant.  Guarantee delivery of independent appraisals while logging all activity, protecting residential & commercial Lenders from audits and related penalties and fines.
  • Tailor your communication process – transparency and open communication – appraiser & lender communicate within the platform, systematically or independently.  Select & oversee your own appraisal panel and work directly with your trusted appraisers. Plus, track every order! Lenders can access all loan production & appraiser steps throughout the entire process.

Questions?  You’re our priority – call us at 800-875-7402 for answers.

We’re here to help, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. CST.

Estimating an asset’s value based on what it cost, the income it may generate and the fair market value compared to other similar assets, is required by the lender to close a loan on a particular property (mortgage, refi, tax value, etc.).  This is where a licensed appraisal comes into the process.

A residential appraisal is another box to mark on the closing checklist. For a residential appraisal to be legitimate it must be conducted by a party certified and licensed by state regulatory boards.  The party must also meet USPAP Standards and pass the required courses associated with their certification as a residential appraiser.

At Star Appraisal Management we require the following qualifications of appraisers accepting orders:

  • Licensed appraiser in good standing with the applicable state’s licensing board.
  • For FHA appraisal reports, Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”) Certification.
  • E&O Insurance of no less than $500,000 per occurrence.
  • Acceptance of and agreement to comply with STAR AMC Letter of Engagement (per order).

We’re here to help so please contact us for any assistance.

Questions?  You’re our priority – call us at 800-875-7402 for answers.

We’re here to help, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. CST.

The appraised value of a commercial property is usually required as part of the sale.  Commercial appraisals have a much lengthier process than residential appraisals and they often involve many additional factors.

Star Appraisal Management Company can help manage this process for your business and place your order in the hands of a professional licensed for this type of valuation.

We’re here to help so contact us with any questions.

Questions?  You’re our priority – call us at 800-875-7402 for answers.

We’re here to help, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. CST.

Be more efficient acquiring property inspection reports and collateral valuation data utilizing cutting edge mobile technology for to-the-moment property detail, via the Verisite line of products.

Verisite Photo Report               Verisite Collateral Data           Verisite Plus

These tools may be used on purchase and refi loans when drive-bys, desktop appraisals, exterior-only inspections and other appraisal products are ordered to provide more property detail: as addendums or exhibits that include interior inspection info.

Verisite products are also extremely helpful on HELOCs and sub-loan products such as disaster relief inspections, new construction progress evaluations, portfolio reviews, and more.

Questions?  You’re our priority – call us at 800-875-7402 for answers.

We’re here to help, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. CST.

A comprehensive, single view of a property’s real estate attributes.

  • A quick snapshot report used when an appraisal waiver is issued by Freddie Mac.
  • Everything needed to know about a property is in the PDR including location, owner vesting, history, tax, zoning, flood info, property characteristics, listing info, etc.
  • The property data collection must be an on-site interior & exterior physical data collection of the subject property.

Additional info on the subject property’s condition, allowing lenders & borrowers to benefit from originating loans without an appraisal & ensure loans purchased are secured by properties in acceptable condition.

Questions?  You’re our priority – call us at 800-875-7402 for answers.

We’re here to help, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. CST.

Questions?  You’re our priority – call us at 800-875-7402 for answers.

We’re here to help, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. CST.

Use this scoring technology for immediate cost savings, more objective analysis & faster processing.

  • Applied to 1004, 1004C, 1025, 1073, 1075, 2055, 2090 & 2095, most standard form types.
  • Reduce review times with interactive collaboration between lender, reviewer and appraiser.
  • Scoring summary allows for better collateral decisions, improved reporting & the most comprehensive understanding of both the UCDP & EAD’s stringent rules.
  • Quickly determine if auto accepted, rejected outright or needs further review.
  • Reduce repurchase risk – make advanced & appropriate routing judgments – loans enter appropriate funding stream.
  • In-depth analysis & reporting on completeness, property data, comps, regulatory, mortgage insurer & investor requirements.
  • In-depth, customizable reporting on potential valuation bias.
  • NEW! Indicative Words Tool scans report against customized list of words that may infer racial bias or any other bias during the appraiser’s analysis of the property, possibly altering the perceived value.
  • Multi-faceted. May be used to catch key terms the lender, underwriters and/or investors require in report.
  • Check appraiser’s name & license # against Appraisal Subcommittee (ASC) database, identifying possible licensing problems, ensuring appropriate license level for assignment & matches state of issue to appraised property’s location.

Questions?  You’re our priority – call us at 800-875-7402 for answers.

We’re here to help, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. CST.

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Amy Blubaugh, Marketing Director

Over the last thirty years, Amy Blubaugh has been honing her marketing skills while gathering experience and learning from each of her diverse career opportunities and co-workers.

As a college student studying communications and public relations in the early 1990s, Amy worked as a research phone representative at a radio station. It was with this job, and through several other tasks assigned at the station, Amy noticed she was drawn to events and messages generating a response.

Upon college graduation from the University of Nebraska Omaha in 1993, Amy accepted a Sales Assistant position for KEZO-FM (later, Journal Broadcast Group). Eager to support the sales team with communication to clients and office management, she was also excited to help with station events and programming needs. Her dedication and the talents she observed from her co-workers helped her learn to listen to the customer’s needs and create turnkey marketing programs.

In early 1995, Amy moved on to Redstone Communications as a Media Buyer. Broadening her media knowledge, she was invigorated by people with the same goal of garnering a response by delivering the right message to the right customer via the right mix of media.

After a short return to radio, Amy found herself taking her marketing knowhow to the finance industry as a Product Manager for First National Bank Omaha’s bank card division. Working for eight years with direct mail, event marketing, operations and emerging forms of electronic media was a great way to learn to project profitability, measure response and properly analyze results.

As both the Partnership Marketing Manager and Acquisition Manager for Omaha Steaks, Amy spent the next ten years working with various companies throughout the country developing marketing programs to sell product, acquire new customers, and generate leads and awareness of the business. It was with this position Amy was able to improve both her marketing analyst and creative abilities, producing reports to track real time results and make tweaks to print and digital ads to improve marketing efforts.

Amy began her four years at Mutual of Omaha in late 2015 managing product launches, applying process to all areas of marketing, testing print and online campaigns and maneuvering marketing projects in a very regulated industry.

Excited to be the first marketing-focused member of the Credit Information Systems team and work within the business-to-business area, Amy joined as Marketing Director in December of 2019.

Mike Osbourne, Senior Account Manager

For Mike Osbourne, his 28-year career in the credit reporting industry began October 1990 in a sales role for CSC Credit Services. As an Account Manager for CSC, Mike opened a brand-new sales territory in Western Iowa and developed new and existing accounts in Eastern Nebraska. CSC was acquired by Equifax and Mike continued to work successfully at various sales roles within the new organization for his midwestern clients. Mike joined Credit Information Systems as a Senior Account Manager April 2021.

Mike has a passion for the financial services industry both personally and professionally. Mike has served on several credit industry boards and continues to facilitate financial literacy though Financial Peace University.

Mike grew up in Northwestern Illinois and received his Management degree from Millikin University in 1985. He moved to the Omaha in 1987. Eventually, he went on to earn his MBA from the University of Phoenix. Mike is excited to now be part of the customer-focused sales team at Credit Information Systems.

Shane Hoelscher, Senior Account Manager

Shane Hoelscher received his Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics in 1991 from Texas A&M University. He followed that up with a Master of Agriculture in Agricultural Economics – Agribusiness emphasis in 1994. Shortly thereafter he entered a management training program with Terminix Pest Control engaging in all aspects of the professional environment.

Shane began his 23-plus year career in the credit industry after leaving Terminix to join CSC Credit Services as an Account Manager. He managed the relationships and was responsible for revenue-growth with various resellers in the auto, mortgage, tenant, and employment screening industries. In addition to his account management role, Shane was also a member of a new business development team and eventually led a trio of representatives engaged selling credit reporting services to all types of industries.

Shane continued with Equifax as a Channel Manager after they acquired CSC Credit Services in 2012. His primary focus was on the small-to-mid-sized resellers of Equifax products and services before he separated from Equifax in 2020.

Shane joined Credit Information Systems in April, 2020 as a Senior Account Manager and is looking forward to continued growth for the company.

Chad Hartnett, Chief Financial Officer

Chad has over 29 years of finance leadership experience in industries that include professional services, vertically integrated supply chain, franchise and public accounting.

After graduating in 1992 from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in Accounting, Chad spent 6 years in public accounting as a consultant and auditor with companies that included Deloitte & Touche and Ernst & Young.

Chad then worked 16 years at HDR, Inc., one of the country’s largest engineering and architecture firms, in various roles including leading the company’s mergers and acquisitions division. He spent his final 7 years as the company’s Treasurer and Corporate Controller.

Chad then worked for 4 years as the Chief Financial Officer of Scooter’s, one of the fastest growing vertically integrated franchise companies in the country before joining Credit Information Systems in 2020 as their Chief Financial Officer and member of the board of directors.

Helen M. Meyers, Senior Executive Vice President

With a Credit Reporting career spanning more than forty years, Helen Meyers started at Credit Bureau of Council Bluffs (1975-1979) learning the business and providing service to customers by reading their credit reports to them over the phone, verifying tradelines and gaining certification to interview consumers during a time when consumer files were handwritten.

In 1980, Helen accepted a customer service position in the installment loan department of Council Bluffs Savings Bank. Before she left the bank in 1995, she had worked her way up to Assistant Vice President/Loan Officer.

Returning to the Credit Bureau of Council Bluffs (d/b/a Credit Information Systems) in 1996, Helen has spent the last twenty-five years overseeing all mortgage loan customer service staff members, ensuring happy clients and a smooth flow of the company’s day-to-day operations. She also manages compliance with the Repositories as well as with state and federal laws.

Helen also served on the board of the National Consumer Reporting Association (NCRA) from 2018–2020.

Heather Russell-Schroeder, President

Heather Russell-Schroeder began her 35 plus year career in the Credit Reporting industry as a high school and college student working part-time answering phones, entering data, handling consumer disputes and public record bulletins for her family’s business, Credit Bureau of Council Bluffs.

After graduating from the University of Nebraska Lincoln with a Master of Arts Degree in Deaf Education in 1997, Heather spent two years teaching 1st grade at Crete Elementary and managing their Deaf Education program.

Heather returned to the Credit Bureau of Council Bluffs in 2000 as Compliance Officer – Executive Vice President, holding that position for eight years.

Heather has been the Credit Bureau of Council Bluffs, President and the President of Performance Data Systems, Inc since 2008. Beginning in 2009, Heather was the Co-Owner Credit Bureau of Council Bluffs, Inc and Performance Data Systems, Inc.

Currently, Heather is the third generation Owner Credit Bureau of Council Bluffs, Inc and Performance Data Systems, Inc.

Lee H. Volmer, Vice President Sales

In 1979, Lee Volmer’s Credit Reporting industry career launched with the Credit Bureau of Rockford, Illinois, where he was involved in automation to the Chilton System. After the Credit Bureau was purchased by Parker Business Systems, Lee was promoted to General Manager and led the Bureau’s conversion to the TransUnion System.

Lee was transferred to Seattle, Washington in 1982 to automate and market Washington and Oregon as an affiliate of the TransUnion System. Parker Business sold the franchise to TransUnion in 1985 and Lee took on the role as sales manager of Chilton’s Dallas, Texas operation. Promoted to General Manager of Chilton’s Omaha, Nebraska location in 1986, Lee’s duties included management of a 5-state area. Lee left TRW (formerly Chilton) in 1994 and worked with CSC Credit on special projects.

The Credit Bureau of Council Bluffs added Lee to the team as Vice President of Sales in 1995, a position he currently holds along with being a trusted resource to many in the credit reporting industry.