3.6 Crunch Time

[Sadie]

They aren't requiring driving by the comps so they are saying the new system saves time compared to the 2.6 former protocol.

Read the engagement letter before you stop driving comps. I bet some will require the drive by and photos still.

 

[Vermonter]

They aren't requiring driving by the comps so they are saying the new system saves time compared to the 2.6 former protocol.

Their math isn't mathing.

 

[Surf Cat]

They aren't requiring driving by the comps so they are saying the new system saves time compared to the 2.6 former protocol.

Too bad that's the time when you discover the comps side an apartment complex, is on an arterial feeder street, is under high tension power lines.... that "aha" moment of why it's priced the way it is.... carefully hidden by realtor picture angles.

 

[djd09]

did someone say boycott...great idea

 

[Airstream]

I have completed several on total. The data input and set up is brutal and the additional time IS REAL. The lenders and AMC's are trying to take the position that we should waste our time for free and complete reports with more data creep for the same crappy fees and not be compensated for set up. I have utilized total for mobile and an iPhone since its inception. The new 3.6 reduces the software to its base and does not allow for most of the time saving features within the 2.6 platform. I have received multiple requests from AMC and lender at the same fee base as 2.6. ---THIS HAS TO STOP---- The scope creep throughout the years has required us to add more and more and more to reports. Most of which is not necessary to the creation of a quality appraisal. 3.6 is no different. You are making it cheaper for them while decreasing your hourly rate and the AMC's are increasing their percentages. Don't let that happen. The next month is going to be rocky. Demand your increased fee. If you double your time, double your fee. Don't let them talk you into giving them a break because "there is a learning curve" and "it will get better after you complete a few" while you pull your hair out trying to make them happy.

No way did my time double. Maybe an extra 1.5 hours, but that was because I had to familiarize myself with the program. I spent very little time in front of the computer. I did use the mobile app, Everything synced pretty quickly. Had I not had a few learning curve issues with the software I could have been done with the report in about 5 to 6 hours and that includes drive time. The time saving features will come. That will certainly help. I agree there is scope creep, but I took all kinds of pictures with the Mobile App before. Some of my lender had far more requirements. And the few extra items 3.6 asks for are really no big deal. I guess you will have to make a business decision. My fees were already averaging above 600. And they will go up. But no way will I double the fee. I don't think it is necessary. I did not pull my hair out either. I do NOT like the fact we are beta testers for the software companies. I guess everyone has their own experiences with how they deal with software. I bought my first computer in 1984. I dealt with DOS and all kinds of computer changes. I've changed appraisal software about 4 times in 30 years. Went from DOS to digital. Frankly, this isn't even close to what I've had to learn in the past.

Heck I remember using DOS and having to print out all the pages, take photos with a camera and wait 3 days to develop, then pasting them on the sheet, copying maps on a copier, then printing out 2 copies, stapling them, and then having to physically mail them. This isn't even close to that.

 

[djd09]

i would triple the fee...because they are stealing your data...and using it against you in more then one way, right dw?

 

[Essexfenwick]

Too bad that's the time when you discover the comps side an apartment complex, is on an arterial feeder street, is under high tension power lines.... that "aha" moment of why it's priced the way it is.... carefully hidden by realtor picture angles.

They say you should see the location on the MLS map. I know it's BS but they are using any BS possible. The fact they don't care if we drove the comps is a giveaway that they don't care about the "appraisal" part. They just want the data on the subject . They will already have the data on the comps or as much as they need from the MLS. Very soon, targeted data collection on a targeted small percentage of sales is all they will need for AI appraisal.

 

[Sadie]

No way did my time double. Maybe an extra 1.5 hours, but that was because I had to familiarize myself with the program. I spent very little time in front of the computer. I did use the mobile app, Everything synced pretty quickly. Had I not had a few learning curve issues with the software I could have been done with the report in about 5 to 6 hours and that includes drive time. The time saving features will come. That will certainly help. I agree there is scope creep, but I took all kinds of pictures with the Mobile App before. Some of my lender had far more requirements. And the few extra items 3.6 asks for are really no big deal. I guess you will have to make a business decision. My fees were already averaging above 600. And they will go up. But no way will I double the fee. I don't think it is necessary. I did not pull my hair out either. I do NOT like the fact we are beta testers for the software companies. I guess everyone has their own experiences with how they deal with software. I bought my first computer in 1984. I dealt with DOS and all kinds of computer changes. I've changed appraisal software about 4 times in 30 years. Went from DOS to digital. Frankly, this isn't even close to what I've had to learn in the past.

Heck I remember using DOS and having to print out all the pages, take photos with a camera and wait 3 days to develop, then pasting them on the sheet, copying maps on a copier, then printing out 2 copies, stapling them, and then having to physically mail them. This isn't even close to that.

Did the inspection take the same amount of time as previously?

 

[Airstream]

Did the inspection take the same amount of time as previously?

It took about 1.25 hours. Only because I was unfamiliar with the new format of the app. Otherwise, I could have been out of there in about 45 minutes to an hour. The house was a bit harder to sketch due to weird second floor layout. That is where much of the time was. That would have been true even with the 2.6. And I spent about 15 minutes trying to figure out a sketch process for the basement. Again a learning curve. Once I have the quirks of the new Mobile App learned it really isn’t going to take much longer. And the syncing with the desktop worked reasonably well. Again the software is still quirky and there are bugs.

Doing the sales approach was different due to expandable fields and what you might expect. That made it go a bit longer. After I was done I made a template with the fields I will always use. And I figured out a bit how the fields work. Also the delivery didn’t work right and I had to discover a work around. That took about 30 minutes. I couldn’t call support because I only have silver and this was on a weekend.

This will go faster once the software is better. The main gripe is the software is really beta. We are being used as beta testers and developers. Yet we are still paying to use it. We really should all be given the elite support package UNTIL the software is finished.

Frankly I cannot see how this will be ready by November. Way too many software problems. I would say most of my extra time was because of the crappy way the software worked and not because of the form.

 

[Non Sequitur]

Pretty much what we’re working through as an industry right now: