Alamode is Holding me Hostage

[Mark K]

I quit paying Alamode about 10 years ago. I still have the program on the PC and use it on rare occasions. All my files for the past 30 yrs are still there.

OTOH, the Alamode 'assistant' comes up every time I start the computer and asks me if I want to install updates that were downloaded 10 yrs. ago. I just click NO and if there was a HELL NO, I'd click that. Don't trust the sneaky bstrds.

 

[Mark K]

Speaking of USPAP, I am assuming that you have obtained the appropriate/applicable permission, as covered in lines 248-254 of the Confidentiality section of the Ethics Rule, prior to attempting to distribute the report to another appraiser.

While we're on the subject...Does this apply after an appraiser retires and no longer has a license? Same for record keeping. I'm thinking the day my license expires I'll be dumping a few hundred pounds of files in the dumpster.

 

[Brian W Street]

I quit paying Alamode about 10 years ago. I still have the program on the PC and use it on rare occasions. All my files for the past 30 yrs are still there.

OTOH, the Alamode 'assistant' comes up every time I start the computer and asks me if I want to install updates that were downloaded 10 yrs. ago. I just click NO and if there was a HELL NO, I'd click that. Don't trust the sneaky bstrds.

So many questions, is this the same PC that you last worked on? What happens when you open a file? Can you print that file to a printer or PDF?

 

[djd09]

there is no 'hostage' situation...just tell the other appraiser they are on their own

and if the state board comes calling after years of retirement...so what not your problem

and if you get sued...and you need the file...cough up the money (highly unlikely)

 

[Brian W Street]

While we're on the subject...Does this apply after an appraiser retires and no longer has a license? Same for record keeping. I'm thinking the day my license expires I'll be dumping a few hundred pounds of files in the dumpster.

Yes, this is what I am referring to, after my Total license is no longer valid. As far as your paper files are concerned I think that you have to keep them for 5 years and it might not be a bad idea to push it to 6 and that assumes that none of the files have been under scrutiny at the state, which requires additional time.

 

[Brian W Street]

there is no 'hostage' situation...just tell the other appraiser they are on their own

and if the state board comes calling after years of retirement...so what not your problem

and if you get sued...and you need the file...cough up the money (highly unlikely)

Most likely all is true, I haven't had any issues to date but as time gets closer to putting my tape away I will need to start using a different work file system or simply just purchase a silver subscription to Total if the need every comes up.

 

[Mark K]

So many questions, is this the same PC that you last worked on? What happens when you open a file? Can you print that file to a printer or PDF?

Yep. My old Win 7 dinosaur, what I'm typing on now. And yes, I can print, no problem.

 

[djd09]

you would think the regulators would be concerned about the limited access to appraisals...for public trust sake

Corelogic | FNC, Inc.

IAC

www.appraisalfoundation.org

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

While we're on the subject...Does this apply after an appraiser retires and no longer has a license? Same for record keeping. I'm thinking the day my license expires I'll be dumping a few hundred pounds of files in the dumpster.

I certainly plan on purging my documents. I had to administer the estate of a CPA. The total cost of grinding his old reports was huge and I gave an equal number of files to people who were his customers. Then I couldn't even give the file cabinets away. I dumped some and took 2 home and used in my shop to store stuff.