Automate Data Entry?

[hvgcs]

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.

 

[Surf Cat]

You poor thing....

First of all, there's nothing free or cheap that works really well. Let's just get that out of the way.

Just know that everyone here has been in your position. Shoot, you may even get a story from some guys who used typewriters and taped developed pictures on paper and Xeroxed them.

Don't think of filling out the form as a tedious chore. Think of it as getting to know the form in every single aspect and how page one connects to the sales comparison grid. How the 1004 MC connects to the top of the sales comparison grid in the main form.

In doing this hundreds of times, you'll know exactly where to go when your mentor asks you "are you sure about the concessions on comparable 2"... instead of searching for what he's talking about..... because the form filler did it for you.

Make it a game so as when you hit the E&O check, that you get the least amount of errors.

Navigating the form quickly and efficiently, will make you a better appraiser. Maybe you'll be kept around the office instead of someone who only knows how to push a button to import the data.

Everyone has to pay their dues...

 

[J Grant]

god help us, another person trying to do it faster -we're supposed to think as we do a report, not just input stuff and sign.

 

[Surf Cat]

Hey J...... Millennial or Gen X'er?

 

[CindyR]

typing it in makes you read it and understand it and consider it. and it only takes a couple minutes.

 

[hvgcs]

Wow, well, I do check my work. Not looking to automate everything.

You poor thing....

First of all, there's nothing free or cheap that works really well. Let's just get that out of the way.

Just know that everyone here has been in your position. Shoot, you may even get a story from some guys who used typewriters and taped developed pictures on paper and Xeroxed them.

Don't think of filling out the form as a tedious chore. Think of it as getting to know the form in every single aspect and how page one connects to the sales comparison grid. How the 1004 MC connects to the top of the sales comparison grid in the main form.

In doing this hundreds of times, you'll know exactly where to go when your mentor asks you "are you sure about the concessions on comparable 2"... instead of searching for what he's talking about..... because the form filler did it for you.

Make it a game so as when you hit the E&O check, that you get the least amount of errors.

Navigating the form quickly and efficiently, will make you a better appraiser. Maybe you'll be kept around the office instead of someone who only knows how to push a button to import the data.

Everyone has to pay their dues...

Ha ha. Yes poor me. EvEryOnE HaS to PaY tHeiR DueS...bitter much? I do check my work and I am not looking for GIGO. But thanks for your input.

 

[hvgcs]

god help us, another person trying to do it faster -we're supposed to think as we do a report, not just input stuff and sign.

Thanks for your input. So helpful.

 

[hvgcs]

typing it in makes you read it and understand it and consider it. and it only takes a couple minutes.

Noted.

 

[NC Appraising]

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)?

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..

 

[Surf Cat]

Wow, well, I do check my work. Not looking to automate everything.

Ha ha. Yes poor me. EvEryOnE HaS to PaY tHeiR DueS...bitter much? I do check my work and I am not looking for GIGO. But thanks for your input.

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?