How to Add a Client in Appraisal Inbox

There are two ways to add a new Client in Appraisal Inbox:

1. Add a Client while creating a new Appraisal Order (recommended)

2. Add a Client directly from the Clients section

Both methods create a Client record and, if applicable, a Contact record for that Client.

Note: A Client is the organization or individual the order is for (such as a lender, AMC, portal, or private client), while a Contact is a specific person associated with that Client—or an individual involved in the assignment, such as a property owner, person of contact, etc who may or may not be associated with a Client.

Understanding "Ordered By" vs. "Addressed To"

Appraisal Inbox supports two types of Clients on an order. When creating an appraisal order, you will see two separate "Client" fields:

• Ordered By Client – the party that places the order (e.g., a portal like AppraisalPort or an AMC)

• Addressed To Client – the party the appraisal is for (e.g., lender, bank, credit union)

These may be the same or different depending on the source of the appraisal assignment.

Ordered By Client

This is who sent or initiated the order. It might be the party that places the order (e.g., a portal like AppraisalPort, the VA or an AMC), or - the lender, bank or private Client if not an AMC or portal order.

Addressed To Client

This is the ultimate end-client or institution the appraisal is for. This might be the exactly the same as the Client who ordered. Or, if the ordering client is an AMC or portal like Mercury, the "Addressed To Client" could be a lender, credit union, etc.

By default, Appraisal Inbox assumes the Addressed To Client is the same as the Ordered By Client. If they are different, uncheck the box: “Addressed to same Client as Ordered By?”

When unchecked, a second Client selector appears for the Addressed To Client. There you can select and existing Client or add a new one.

Option 1: Add a Client While Creating a New Appraisal Order (Recommended)

This is the most common workflow for appraisers and ensures Clients and Contacts are created as you enter new appraisal orders.

Steps

1. Click + Add from the appraisals search view, or go directly to the add appraisal form: https://secure.appraisalinbox.com/appraisals/create

2. In the Engagement section, begin typing in the Ordered By Client field by either the Client name or even by a Contact (person) name who works for the Client.

   • If the Client already exists, you will see them in the list of results - click their name to set the client on the order

   • If the Client does not already exist, click: "+ Add “Super Client” Client"

     

   A modal will open to add the Client’s details.

   • Uncheck "Client is a business? Uncheck if an individual." for individuals

   • Leave it checked to add an Organization unless you'd like to also like specify the Contact person who works for the Client

   

   If the Addressed To client is different from the Ordered By client:

   • Uncheck “Addressed to same Client as Ordered By?”

   • In the newly visible field, type the Addressed To client’s name.

   • Select an existing Client or click + Add to create a new one

3. Click Save.

   When you complete the appraisal order:

   • A Client record is created for each unique client used

   • A Contact record is created (either a default one or one you specify)

Option 2: Add a Client Directly

You can also add a Client independently of entering an appraisal order.

Steps

1. Click + Add from the clients search view, or go directly to the add client form: https://secure.appraisalinbox.com/clients/create

   

   Enter the Client details.

   • Leave "Client is a business? Uncheck if an individual." if the client is organizations (e.g., AMCs, lenders).

   • Uncheck if the Client is an individual or if you are adding a Client along with their primary Contact (a person)

2. Click Save to create the Client and associated Contact record.

Notes & Tips

• New accounts with no data may not show the inline “+ Add Client” option until visiting the New Appraisal Order page.

• Every Client must have at least one primary Contact. If you don’t specify one, Appraisal Inbox will create a default Contact automatically (which you can edit later).

• For orders involving both an ordering platform/AMC and a lender, always ensure the Ordered By and Addressed To fields correctly reflect each part for better tracking