Automate Data Entry?

[OSU Beavers]

Hi, I am a lowly appraiser assistant (working toward my license). We use TOTAL to enter the data into our reports. I know that the software can fill in the comp data in the grid if that comp has been previously used in another report, however, I still have to tediously enter the MLS info into the grid by hand most of the time. Does anyone have a better system (free or cheap)? I've tried converting the MLS pdfs into Excel but it's wonky and I still have to enter the data manually anyway. Thanks for any help.

Remember that Realtors are idiots and the MLS is strewn with errors.

 

[Elliott]

Any typing macro or skeleton will fill in 75% of the comparable's data. I agree that actually typing the unique data makes you look at the character of the comparable so you are familiar with it.

 

[hvgcs]

Not a problem. I'm glad you can take a little poking and stick around.

Did my reply to your post really come off as bitter? I thought it more enlightening and would get you out of that "tedious" funk and put another perspective on filling out the report. How different parts of it are intertwined and the analysis comes together.

How does your mentor fill out reports? Or, are you typing for several appraisers in one office? Have you been out into the field? Have you chosen and analyzed data from the MLS for the subject property? How far along are you on your appraisal Journey?

I get that as a newbie I need to see the big picture and make sure my info is correct and accurate. I do sometimes go out into the field. I have chosen and analyzed data from MLS and public records. I am about 3/4 of the way through the NYS McKissock licensing course. I fill out comps and other data for my supervisor which is totally cool, I'm grateful that I can work from home and there is flexibility. I don't want to come off as whiny and entitled. And I guess "automate" was not really the correct word to use. Maybe "synthesize" the data would be a better phrase. Thanks for clearing things up.

 

[hvgcs]

Remember that Realtors are idiots and the MLS is strewn with errors.

LOL, yes I realize that is true (well my supervisor is also a realtor so I wouldn't say that in every case but yeah). I know that appraisers define things differently like square footage and room count so yes, I have gone thru many an MLS and found discrepancies (e.g., the listing says heating is FWA but is really HWBB). Sigh, I realize nothing is 100% foolproof.

 

[hvgcs]

Yes. It was free, but Alamode now charges for it. I get it free because I am grandfathered in. Really sad because I already pay $1,600 a year....

I think they now charge +-$600 a year for it. There are several other companies that offer it. Datamaster and Spark are other options.

PS, if you use it, verify the data with the actual county......MLS and realist are basically the same data source. All MLS (tax data) comes from REALIST.

I have found REALIST not to have all of the transactions.....and the site can be off too.

One last thing..........for the love of......please do not use their comps......pull your own comps from the MLS..

Thanks for the input. We tried alamode's database option when they offered a free trial and it was pretty clunky and not really good for our region. And yes, I do use my own comps. What I meant was let's say I have a comp, 123 Main Street and when I enter the address into the grid, it shows that I had entered it into a prior report or a peer has already entered the data, I will compare the current listing with the old one and if the data is current I will use it, if not I will update the comp. I realize the data could be a few years old or the property has since been updated/improved.

 

[TerryRohrer]

Total used to have a function where you could import a csv file, so you could dump data from MLS to Excel, massage it a bit to the right format (by formula, so mostly automatic, and then import into Total. In my market the data is so poor that it only creates a skeleton, but it helps. But, in a demonstration of how little they care about their customers, they deprecated that feature for all but those using it heavily in order to increase demand for their new, subscription based feature. There is likely a way to do the same thing through the embedded worksheet, which can be linked to the form, much like their 1004MC template.

 

[NC Appraising]

Thanks for the input. We tried alamode's database option when they offered a free trial and it was pretty clunky and not really good for our region. And yes, I do use my own comps. What I meant was let's say I have a comp, 123 Main Street and when I enter the address into the grid, it shows that I had entered it into a prior report or a peer has already entered the data, I will compare the current listing with the old one and if the data is current I will use it, if not I will update the comp. I realize the data could be a few years old or the property has since been updated/improved.

Maybe I am not getting it right?

Or you talking about importing comps from a database (alamode smart exchange) or just importing your comps that you personally selected from the MLS based on your search? See below. May have to click to expand it.



Here is an example when finished importing from the MLS: You obviously have to fill in the rest....

 

[hvgcs]

I search for my own comps, (or my mentor does) which we have in pdf form, and then parse out the data I need for the grid (as pictured above). I'm not suggesting that the software choose comps and then fill in the data for me. Hope that clears things up...

 

[AMCLover]

I search for my own comps, (or my mentor does) which we have in pdf form, and then parse out the data I need for the grid (as pictured above). I'm not suggesting that the software choose comps and then fill in the data for me. Hope that clears things up...

You are a breath of fresh air in a profession where the average age is over 50. I am looking for a similar solution. If you figure it out please share.

 

[TerryRohrer]

You are a breath of fresh air in a profession where the average age is over 50. I am looking for a similar solution. If you figure it out please share.

Some old dummies survived this long by learning what it takes to survive and what works. There is always room for advancement, but many younger folks seem to consider every existing process too antiquated to function. Much of the "appraisal process" has developed as a systematic means by which to gain understanding of the appraisal problem in order to develop a viable solution. AVMs, hybrids, and CU prove that an "answer" can be generated automatically, but those results haven't improved much in the past 30 years except in the simplest cases. The need for appraisal services going forward will be filled by those with an understanding that goes deeper than efficiently populating a form.