AMC asking for UAD 3.6 fees, what's everyone thinking?

[Sandra Koutsopoulos]

At the moment I cannot keep up with non lender work so I cannot even think about this. If/when I get slow I'll tune in. All AI is doing for me at the moment is slowing down my Windows 10..

re: Windows 10 slowdown... Yep! me too! I finally got so PO'd this week with the program hang-ups and irrelevant AI drivel, that I went into System, and deleted a BUNCH of programs and their add-ons, not the least of which was "One-Drive" which duplicated everything and parts of Adobe that threw up duplicate screens and complicated printing. I'm happily surprised that 1/3 or more of my desktop icons disappeared, and I can finally whiz through searches, printing etc WAY more quickly. KISS principal works for me. Due to lack of certain hardware in my computer, my Windows 11 never functioned properly, and I'm loathe to invest in a new desktop computer when 'good enough is still good enough' for my purposes.

 

[Joe Flacco]

If I ran Cotality I would merge alamode into matrix and build the appraisal software on top of matrix.

 

[Joe Flacco]

They probably don't even have to merge it. Matrix probably could just build it without alamode.

 

[Airstream]

re: Windows 10 slowdown... Yep! me too! I finally got so PO'd this week with the program hang-ups and irrelevant AI drivel, that I went into System, and deleted a BUNCH of programs and their add-ons, not the least of which was "One-Drive" which duplicated everything and parts of Adobe that threw up duplicate screens and complicated printing. I'm happily surprised that 1/3 or more of my desktop icons disappeared, and I can finally whiz through searches, printing etc WAY more quickly. KISS principal works for me. Due to lack of certain hardware in my computer, my Windows 11 never functioned properly, and I'm loathe to invest in a new desktop computer when 'good enough is still good enough' for my purposes.

This is one of the reasons I run Total on an Apple using parallels virtual machine. The ONLY program I run on windows is Total. The Apple IOS is just a much cleaner system. For years I ran Windows computers and the older they got the slower they got. It seems I had to buy a new PC every few years. When I went to a MacBook that all changed.

 

[Airstream]

On a side note. I took the 4 hour course by alamode. We went through most of the SFR form in the class.
1) The Scope of Work has definitely increased. If you are a Total user you will definitely want to take this course. It's kind of long (could have been longer due so much to cover), but was invaluable just to see how Total 3.6 works. They did go though some Total Mobile, and I will have to say using Total Mobile will make the entire process much easier. Otherwise it will be incredibly tedious at the desk.
2) This program is going to have a steep learning curve. There are all kinds of ins and outs to it. I can't imagine what the Condo or especially the Multi-family will be like. Those first reports are going to take extra time for sure. The question will be how long will it take to really learn the program and figure out all the GSE quirks (and he mentioned a few no nos). Expect stipulations.
3) Charge accordingly. I will have to say this has caused me to rethink continuing. At 71 I don't do a lot of appraisals. Maybe average 5 a month (perfect for just a bit of work to keep my brain going). But due to the high learning curve, my guess it will take 10 to 20 reports to become proficient in the SFR form. Then you have to take into consideration the Condo....and I don't even want to think about the MFR. I don't do hardly any condos now that I have moved to a different county in Wisconsin. Did them all the time at my last residence due to a lot of recreational condos. I have done a few Mult-families while here. People don't like doing them, because the form is a pain to do. I suspect this new 3.6 will increase that dramatically. I don't think I would charge less than 1500 for a 2-4 family with this new form. It is going to be tedious. If they don't want to pay it let some other sucker take it on.

I was thinking 100 to 150 extra. I think after the class I am going to say 150 to 200 more for the SFR. Not sure about the CONDO.

 

[Zoe]

On a side note. I took the 4 hour course by alamode. We went through most of the SFR form in the class.
1) The Scope of Work has definitely increased. If you are a Total user you will definitely want to take this course. It's kind of long (could have been longer due so much to cover), but was invaluable just to see how Total 3.6 works. They did go though some Total Mobile, and I will have to say using Total Mobile will make the entire process much easier. Otherwise it will be incredibly tedious at the desk.
2) This program is going to have a steep learning curve. There are all kinds of ins and outs to it. I can't imagine what the Condo or especially the Multi-family will be like. Those first reports are going to take extra time for sure. The question will be how long will it take to really learn the program and figure out all the GSE quirks (and he mentioned a few no nos). Expect stipulations.
3) Charge accordingly. I will have to say this has caused me to rethink continuing. At 71 I don't do a lot of appraisals. Maybe average 5 a month (perfect for just a bit of work to keep my brain going). But due to the high learning curve, my guess it will take 10 to 20 reports to become proficient in the SFR form. Then you have to take into consideration the Condo....and I don't even want to think about the MFR. I don't do hardly any condos now that I have moved to a different county in Wisconsin. Did them all the time at my last residence due to a lot of recreational condos. I have done a few Mult-families while here. People don't like doing them, because the form is a pain to do. I suspect this new 3.6 will increase that dramatically. I don't think I would charge less than 1500 for a 2-4 family with this new form. It is going to be tedious. If they don't want to pay it let some other sucker take it on.

I was thinking 100 to 150 extra. I think after the class I am going to say 150 to 200 more for the SFR. Not sure about the CONDO.

Thanks, how will total mobile make it easier? You can speculate.

You may already be on Total mobile. I am not. I have been with alamode a long time.

 

[chad hampton]

I plan on providing opinions of value the same way I always have. By bringing up sales and using my experience to see which ones are most similar.

Everything else is smoke and mirrors.

 

[ZZGAMAZZ]

IDK, if you estimate the 3.6 adds 20% more time, add 20% more to a fee?
to stay competitive raise fees-10-15% at minimum?
I believe this is a rare opportunity for appraisers to raise fees. If we keep fees the same it might be difficult to raise them later.

You're probably 1000% correct...but do you think it will make any difference rather than serve as a dog n pony show to give an impression that stakeholder insight was elicited????

 

[ZZGAMAZZ]

I plan on providing opinions of value the same way I always have. By bringing up sales and using my experience to see which ones are most similar.

Everything else is smoke and mirrors.

I haven't even given a thought to the new concept, but your perspective probably is the most astute of all. Seriously, somethng for all the doomsday predictors to consider!!!!

 

[Airstream]

Thanks, how will total mobile make it easier? You can speculate.

You may already be on Total mobile. I am not. I have been with alamode a long time.

I have been using Total Mobile app for 20 years. So I am very familiar with how it works, and have been through all their improvements. It comes as part of the Total program. I have worked through the Total for Mobile with the 3.6 (used my own house), and I find it to be very very helpful. Especially after taking the class it will be highly desirable. There are so many new drop down menus and the program is so dynamic I just don’t see doing paper and pencil will be very easy. It will be very tedious at the desktop. Doing it in the field will make work at the desktop much easier.
Here’s just a few ways it will make it easier.
1. The Total Mobile will make taking pictures and having them placed in the report easier. Example when you sketch the house and put in say “bedroom” you can tap on the bedroom label. Up pops an ability to take a picture. Then when you sync it the picture will automatically sync to the area in the form where it needs to be placed. You don’t have to hunt for pictures or add pictures from an SD card, etc.. This is true also for when you take picture of say a deficiency or an amenity. Unlike the 2.6 where you have photo pages for interior photos, now the photos have to go on the pages where you describe the interior. Photos are scattered all throughout the form. This is what makes the 3.6 different than the 2.6.
2. The Mobile App is set up so that you don’t forget necessary items. And it takes you through the form in an organized way. So for example if you say the property has an ADU in the mobile app, then the ADU information necessary for the form pops up. (If it doesn’t have an ADU it doesn’t pop up.) Then you can take pictures of it, and it then syncs to the place in the form for the ADU. But what I like is that if you forget a necessary item there is a red exclamation point that comes up. Then you go back and rectify it. No guessing. No assuming.
3. Also I often just dictate with my voice when I see something I want to make a note of. It works great. Then when I get to syncing the information everything will be where it is supposed to be. In the 3.6 there is more places for narrative. Not having to type that again at the desktop will be far easier and take less time.

I printed out all the possible parts of the 3.6 dynamic form. It printed out something like 40 pages!

I’m not saying you can’t do paper and pencil, but that will be incredibly tedious. The Mobile app just takes away all that tedious stuff at the desktop. It may take a bit more time in the field. But it will be less of a headache in the office.

My suggestion is that you just try it. It takes a bit of time to get used to it. Much like laser measurers take awhile to become good at. By the way I do not use an IPAD unless I know it is going to be a big house. Most houses I can use my IPHONE. My IPHONE has a better camera.

Also if you get an IPHONE I would make sure you get one that will allow for scanning the floor for sketching. That will be the next big thing. I recommend getting IPHONE Pro Max.