ACI conversion to XML

[Have Laser-Will Travel]

I want to convert an .ACI file to XML format but don't want to pay ACI a boat-load of money to convert one report. Does anyone know of any conversion software? Can I make a pdf and convert that to XML? Any ideas? I have AI Ready that I send thru AppraisalPort. Somehow, they don't need me to convert anything.

 

[Joyce Potts]

I'll refrain from comment.

 

[Vivian Koester]

If you are currently using Appraisal Port, then aren't you already paying for the e-services? I THINK (I'm not positive) that if you are already paying the extra fee to use appraisal port, then xml is included in that e-services fee.

 

[Have Laser-Will Travel]

If you are currently using Appraisal Port, then aren't you already paying for the e-services? I THINK (I'm not positive) that if you are already paying the extra fee to use appraisal port, then xml is included in that e-services fee.

Thanks Vivian. The client I need to get a report to is not an AppraisalPort user.

 

[Fargo1]

Thanks Vivian. The client I need to get a report to is not an AppraisalPort user.

I think what Vivian is asking is how do you create your Appraisal Port files. If your using ACI to create/send files to Appraisal Port you must already have eServices. If thats the case go to eServices> Send Report > MISMO 2.6 GSE. That will create the xml file. If you don't have eServices, I don't know how you can do it. Let me know if you find a way.

I will be dropping ACI when my subscription expires because I can't stand to spend an extra $200 just to create xml files. I don't use Appraisal Port or anything else in eServices.

If this is a one time thing you might try downloading a trail version of Total to see if they can import the ACI file and create the XML. It could be a lot of work though. If this is something you need on occasion, you might want to look at NCV Forms. For $150+/- you get a full appraisal suite and can create xml files. In fact, it might be just as easy to pick up a copy of NCV and retype (or copy/paste) your report into NCV. Then you have it for future use if you know you need an xml file.

There is a very good chance I will be dropping ACI for NCV this spring.

 

[Have Laser-Will Travel]

I think what Vivian is asking is how do you create your Appraisal Port files. If your using ACI to create/send files to Appraisal Port you must already have eServices. If thats the case go to eServices> Send Report > MISMO 2.6 GSE. That will create the xml file. If you don't have eServices, I don't know how you can do it. Let me know if you find a way.

I will be dropping ACI when my subscription expires because I can't stand to spend an extra $200 just to create xml files. I don't use Appraisal Port or anything else in eServices.

If this is a one time thing you might try downloading a trail version of Total to see if they can import the ACI file and create the XML. It could be a lot of work though. If this is something you need on occasion, you might want to look at NCV Forms. For $150+/- you get a full appraisal suite and can create xml files. In fact, it might be just as easy to pick up a copy of NCV and retype (or copy/paste) your report into NCV. Then you have it for future use if you know you need an xml file.

There is a very good chance I will be dropping ACI for NCV this spring.

The path you metioned brings me to an applet for product registration. I've called ACI and they said I need a subscription and a memebership renewal. For AppraisalPort I click on the "Send AIRD/AppraisalPort" button at the top of the page. AppraisalPort probably realized it was a good idea that the enable the conversion through their site by special arrangement with ACI so that appraisers don't end up in the boat that I am currently in.

Thanks for the options. I'm not finding any easy or cheap solutions.

Clue me in on this-I work almost exclusively through AppraisalPort, so I have had not had to deal with this. Am I going to need to be able to convert to XML for any other client I might do work for outside of AP (considering they will be sending the loan to FNMA)?

 

[Fargo1]

The path you metioned brings me to an applet for product registration. I've called ACI and they said I need a subscription and a memebership renewal. For AppraisalPort I click on the "Send AIRD/AppraisalPort" button at the top of the page. AppraisalPort probably realized it was a good idea that the enable the conversion through their site by special arrangement with ACI so that appraisers don't end up in the boat that I am currently in.

Thanks for the options. I'm not finding any easy or cheap solutions.

Clue me in on this-I work almost exclusively through AppraisalPort, so I have had not had to deal with this. Am I going to need to be able to convert to XML for any other client I might do work for outside of AP (considering they will be sending the loan to FNMA)?

Thats very interesting. I thought you had to have eServices to use AppraisalPort. They advertise it as part of their eServices. Its probably a glitch in their program that you've been able to use it without eservices. Or a deal with AP as you mentioned but they try to charge anyway. Who knows.

To answer your question. Yes, you will need to be able to create xml files for any FNMA appraisal. I'm not sure if AppraisalPort is creating an xml or if their format was also approved. But if you are looking to do more work outside of appraisal port, you will need to purchase eServices or different appraisal software. I think ACI is the only one that charges for the ability to create xml files. I think it is included with everyone elses software. Send ACI a letter to complain. It probably wont do any good, but I have. If they realize why I am leaving before my term is up, I may stay with them. Otherwise I am dropping ACI.

 

[Have Laser-Will Travel]

ACI

Thats very interesting. I thought you had to have eServices to use AppraisalPort. They advertise it as part of their eServices. Its probably a glitch in their program that you've been able to use it without eservices. Or a deal with AP as you mentioned but they try to charge anyway. Who knows.

To answer your question. Yes, you will need to be able to create xml files for any FNMA appraisal. I'm not sure if AppraisalPort is creating an xml or if their format was also approved. But if you are looking to do more work outside of appraisal port, you will need to purchase eServices or different appraisal software. I think ACI is the only one that charges for the ability to create xml files. I think it is included with everyone elses software. Send ACI a letter to complain. It probably wont do any good, but I have. If they realize why I am leaving before my term is up, I may stay with them. Otherwise I am dropping ACI.

I don't like ACI. Maybe I will change. I could and have complained about the software, the multitude of glitches, the poor handling of UAD. I report things and it ends up being a waste of time since they don't fix it. Some things that don't work properly have been that way for years.

 

[Fargo1]

I don't like ACI. Maybe I will change. I could and have complained about the software, the multitude of glitches, the poor handling of UAD. I report things and it ends up being a waste of time since they don't fix it. Some things that don't work properly have been that way for years.

True, but if you read the forums, I think all the appraisal software is like that. If you look, you will even find threads of the vaunted Alamode software having issues. So none of it is perfect.

I've actually been testing out all the software options extensively lately. Each one has strengths and weaknesses. I wish I could take what I like from each and make my own software. But since I can't, I will chose from the existing options. I have used ACI since 1995 and its not easy to change. The hardest part is just learning new shortcuts and ways of doing things. Looking at the choices, you will find ACI is lacking in some features yet still better in others.

From my recent looking, I have to say that ClickForms is my favorite. However, since the company has pulled some shady things on its users like charging for UAD and since they seem intent on destroy full appraisals and raping the appraiser for fees with their CVR/Comp Cruncher program I have a hard time buying their software.

NCV is very similar to Clickfroms but without the polish and attention to details. But JD is very active on the forums and is working hard to improve his software. So I will likely support him.

I really wanted to like Alamode as I think they are a respectable company. But everything about their software feels foreign to me. I just can't grasp their way of doing things. Also they don't let you choose where you save your files too and they don't have some auto adjustments and don't carry some things forward that I am used to. So as much as I like Alamode as a company I really can't bring myself around to their software.

 

[Have Laser-Will Travel]

Thanks

...So as much as I like Alamode as a company I really can't bring myself around to their software.[/quote]

Thanks Fargo! That is very helpful. I thought there was a chance that the others might not be so great either. Some has to be better than others but eveyone will be different in what they like. I'm always working so, no time to review. I probably should do the service update with ACI anyway because it is still unstable since UAD.

I have been at it since 1993 and started on DayOne and perhaps ACI at the same time.

I also got CVR certified. It was only after doing a few I got to realize that as soon as you introduce the sales grid (which the CVR does), you got yourself into as much work as a drive-by, with checking things like condition, quality, lot size, lot slope, view, location, etc. Plus, you have to primp the other analysis and reconcile. Then the AMC's sucked up the big fish (US Bank) and want to pay $150 (minus $25 for Bradford Technologies). So you got yourself a drive-by and more for $125.

I thought bringing statistics and the sales approach and appraiser experience all together would be the wave of the future and maybe it will be but, for right now, the fee is not there unless you get your own clients that will pay $275 or more.