[Donna Quixote]

I just started using ServiceLink about 5 weeks ago and now got this email insisting that I buy the Program of Lighthouse to submit my orders to them. $300 to send in my orders instead of using e-mail for free. When I asked what the deal was they said their system had problems receiving files PDF because they want to break down the appraisals and rebuild them? What the hell does that mean if it does not mean that they want to tamper with my reports? In addition, I have the theory that they are making the appraiser sign up for it so they can protect themselves, by using Lighthouse you are giving them permission to tear apart the reports.

Am I just getting too paranoid out here? And when I said I was not happy about getting Lighthouse they said: "That is a business decision you have to make, whether your office can survive without the work".

I am ready to tell them what they can do with their orders.

Advise PLEASE

[Tom Woolford]

The concept of a secure appraisal is a myth. ANY appraisal can be cracked, even a "locked" PDF. Your best defense, not against a client per se, is to have a well doccumented file, including accurate copies of the electronic report you sent. There is no such thing as a secure report. Send me any one of yours and I'll send it back so changed you wont recognize it, complete with your signature. I would not pass up any business in this market bacause of a perceived threat that is universal. BUT, that just MY opinion. I'm sure there are many other ones out there. Most Lenders / AMC's use Lighthouse or ACI, or WinTotal so they can run a set of "Rules " against the report to flag errors for quality control. Like they said, its a matter of personal choice, but if they are willing to pay your fee, $300 for the software seems like a small investment you might get back very quickly. I'm going to put my armor on now because the stones are going to start flying in my direction (duck and cover).

[Scott Lanz]

I watched a guy crack a secure PDF report in class a couple of weeks ago. Total time, about 1 second. The PDF cracker used was one of the first hits on Google and offered 64 free trials.

[Blueprint]

Originally Posted by JackieWI

I am ready to tell them what they can do with their orders.

Advise PLEASE

I am with you on that. Times have changed and we need 2 make living. If it be frickin optional, I say U R gone.

[Fritz Smith]

"That is a business decision you have to make, whether your office can survive without the work".

Sounds like they think they already own you.

FWIW, Lighthouse is a piece of garbage that cost $300.00 per year. That's as much as some full versions of appraisal software cost. It has a lot of bugs and converts so badly, you'll need to spend alot more time (20-30 min. per report) making corrections on the conversion.

The only upside is it gives you an opportunity to see what kind of fine product ACI is and what they think of their customers if you were ever considering going with their software suite.

[Pamela Crowley (Florida)]

Jackie,
First, THANK YOU for being so astute to question this!

Please do not waste your money or time.

Read here:

http://appraisersforum.com/showthread.php?t=139727

It's highly possible any of these 'conversion' programs will end up being considered illegal.

[Workbox]

Jackie, they do that so they can throw it back at you and make seem that it is your fault at a later time, some of us see through smoke and mirrors. These conversion programs are only for other scrupulous motives and is not to benefit the Appraiser or the end client.

[Donna Quixote]

Thanks everyone, at least I know that I am not alone with being frusterated with this stuff. I just don't know were it is all going to end. Not to mention that these clearing houses just keep dropping their fees for our work until we all get to the point where we should just start flipping burgers! I do automatically vault all of my appraisals with ala mode after sending them in case I ever get called if or when one of my appraisals gets altered.

This client has been a pain about just about everything since I have been working with them. I am tired of getting petty calls from reviewers who pick apart every single word I put in the report. i.e. for an FHA I have a long naritive description of the subject and when I write that a "full inspection of basement reveals..." they call me and state it needs to say "a head and shoulders inspection of the basement..." Picky junk like this all the time. I even had a reviewer tell me what I knew was a safety issue was just cosmetic and to change the report to passing inspection and submit it "as is", which I didn't. I am sick of dealing with their crap, low fees and slow payment times. I even had one file finished and waiting for an FHA case number when they decided to put the order on hold, for 26 days! When I kept calling them on it they stated that they could keep it on hold indefinately!

Sometimes it is just not worth the money.

[Caterina Platt]

Originally Posted by JackieWI

Thanks everyone, at least I know that I am not alone with being frusterated with this stuff. I just don't know were it is all going to end. Not to mention that these clearing houses just keep dropping their fees for our work until we all get to the point where we should just start flipping burgers! I do automatically vault all of my appraisals with ala mode after sending them in case I ever get called if or when one of my appraisals gets altered.

This client has been a pain about just about everything since I have been working with them. I am tired of getting petty calls from reviewers who pick apart every single word I put in the report. i.e. for an FHA I have a long naritive description of the subject and when I write that a "full inspection of basement reveals..." they call me and state it needs to say "a head and shoulders inspection of the basement..." Picky junk like this all the time. I even had a reviewer tell me what I knew was a safety issue was just cosmetic and to change the report to passing inspection and submit it "as is", which I didn't. I am sick of dealing with their crap, low fees and slow payment times. I even had one file finished and waiting for an FHA case number when they decided to put the order on hold, for 26 days! When I kept calling them on it they stated that they could keep it on hold indefinately!

Sometimes it is just not worth the money.

Stick to your guns. The head and shoulders thing is not a limitation, it is a minimum, and to my knowledge, it doesn't apply to the basement. It applies to the attic and crawl space. How in the hell are you supposed to know if there's leaks, cracks in the foundation wall, a working sump pump or dampness if you only do a head and shoulders? That is ludicrous on the part of that reviewer.

Don't let them get you sideways with the FHA protocol. I've had some clients try and do that very thing and losing a squirrel client is better than getting sanctioned by FHA.

[Bearslide]

AMEN!