In a digital-first era where speed, accuracy, and automation define success in mortgage lending, a major new integration is setting a new industry benchmark. AFX Research, a national leader in title abstracting and property data services, has officially integrated with ICE Mortgage Technology’s Encompass® loan origination platform. This partnership enables lenders to access same-day title updates directly within their existing Encompass workflow.
Let’s explore what this integration means for lenders, brokers, and real estate professionals—and how it’s helping redefine efficiency, compliance, and data reliability across the mortgage industry.
Before diving into the integration, it’s important to understand the critical role title updates play in the loan origination process. Title updates provide a current snapshot of the ownership and encumbrance status of a property. These reports verify:
While full title searches are typically used for purchase transactions, title updates are essential for:
Traditionally, obtaining a title update could involve third-party coordination, emails, manual uploads, and waiting days for completion. That’s the bottleneck AFX Research and ICE Mortgage Technology aim to eliminate.
Through its new integration with Encompass, AFX Research delivers Same-Day Title Updates seamlessly within the ICE Mortgage Technology environment. Here’s what that looks like in practice:
Lenders can now place title update orders without leaving the Encompass platform. The order is automatically transmitted to AFX Research’s national abstractor and automation network.
AFX delivers most updates in under half a business day (0.43 average), setting the pace for industry-leading speed. This allows loan processors and underwriters to make decisions faster without compromising accuracy.
Title updates are returned in multiple formats (PDF, Word, Excel, or JSON) to support both manual review and API-driven automation. Lenders can plug the data into their internal systems for compliance tracking or investor delivery.
AFX’s uninsured Same-Day Title Updates Report include:
This data ensures the lender knows exactly what has changed since the last review—without having to commission a full title search.
AFX Research has built a reputation over the past 30 years as a forward-thinking data provider. What differentiates them from traditional title search companies?
AFX’s network of researchers and digital resources spans every U.S. county, enabling consistent quality regardless of location.
AFX blends proprietary automation with human quality assurance. Technology handles bulk data retrieval, while experienced abstractors ensure accuracy and resolve discrepancies.
AFX reports are trusted by federal agencies including the SEC, SBA, and DOJ. Their reports meet high standards of legal and operational accuracy.
AFX works with banks, non-bank lenders, credit unions, real estate platforms, and private investors. Their title updates can be ordered individually or via API at scale.
This isn’t just another fintech partnership—it’s a functional shift in how the mortgage industry approaches risk management, speed, and customer experience.
Loan officers and processors no longer need to log into a separate vendor portal or send emails to request title updates. The process becomes a one-click task within the Encompass interface.
With near-instant access to the latest title data, underwriters can make faster, more confident decisions. No more waiting two or three days for verification of ownership or outstanding liens.
Draw requests for construction or renovation loans often require confirmation that no new liens have been filed. Same-day updates help ensure draws are funded promptly, keeping projects on track.
Quickly identifying changes in lien status or property ownership helps prevent bad loans and legal issues. It also reduces rework and underwriting time, cutting costs across the board.
For lenders handling high volumes, integrating with AFX’s title update API through Encompass provides a reliable, fast, and automated solution. This is critical for organizations scaling operations or entering new markets.
This integration also highlights the growing importance of interoperability in mortgage technology. As originators demand more agile and automated tools, LOS (Loan Origination System) platforms like Encompass are prioritizing partnerships with best-in-class vendors.
AFX joins a roster of premium data providers on Encompass, including:
Each of these integrations helps create a richer, more efficient lending ecosystem. AFX’s addition fills a crucial need: fast, cost-effective title intelligence for short-cycle decisions.
AFX’s integration is especially valuable for the following professionals:
If you’re part of a lending team that’s growing or modernizing operations, this service can significantly reduce friction in your workflow.
Founded in 1995, AFX Research LLC is a trusted provider of property title research, lien searches, and environmental risk reports. Known for combining human expertise with smart automation, AFX has completed research on more than $1.3 trillion in property assets across all 50 states.
AFX is frequently engaged by:
With the Encompass integration, AFX continues its mission of delivering faster, smarter title data where lenders need it most.
Mortgage lending is evolving. Borrowers expect faster approvals. Underwriters require better data. Regulators demand greater transparency.
The integration of AFX Research’s Same-Day Title Updates Report into ICE Mortgage Technology’s Encompass platform addresses all three challenges.
By automating the title update process, lenders can:
If you’re already using Encompass, activating AFX’s integration could be one of the simplest and most impactful ways to improve your lending efficiency this year.