Automate Data Entry?

[TerryRohrer]

True, but I've seen appraisers take 10 days to turn a file in my area with a lot of homogeneous housing. Their reports are 60+ pages long chock full of useless graphs and analysis, only to arrive at a conclusion that should have probably been developed in a couple of hours. No way the end user reads all that commentary, maybe with the exception of some rural, farm, complex, and commercial assignments not intended for a bank.

We are supposed to gain understanding of a problem in order to solve it, but part of the problem is is how do we do that more efficiently? What's worked in the past doesn't work now. This isn't 1992 anymore and data technology and access to information is at your fingertips.

I think some wish we would still be writing long narrative reports on paper and glue sticking the polaroid comp photos.

I don't argue there are no ways to improve. But I am convinced our most dangerous competition is from very large organizations employing a few with licenses whose only function is to sign a report populated by others, quickly.

And don't dismiss the benefits of narrative reports. Having written many over the years for ag and commercial and residential for litigation, one thing is very clear to me. If you write something, text or number, as opposed to reviewing something already on the page (such as boilerplate that isn't tailored to the task at hand) you tend to gloss over errors far more often in the latter case.

I read an article this morning on how to develop a process by which to use Python and ChatGPT to create flashcards for learning some subject. From experience, there is benefit from gleaning the information from the source and writing it in your own terms, even if you never look at it again. Much the same as wrangling data. To each his own. I understand and trust my brain, so am in no rush to replace it with inferior, albeit quicker, things. After all, ChatGPT can generate BS faster than any of us will ever match. It will take a brain to shovel the BS aside to root out the truth.

 

[TerryRohrer]

Just be thankful we're not in the same market area.

Not the least bit concerned!

 

[chad hampton]

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.

Excellent point. Same with inspections, why is everything a rush? I take my time, walk around as though I was buying the house and develop opinions that affect the appraisal during that time. Then I write the report and think as I go line by line.

I don’t understand the assembly line mindset as though this is a production factory.

Probably why I lost 10 bids this week. Even with me bidding $100 less than C&R.

 

[chad hampton]

It takes me 90 min to write up a report in most cases. Up to 2-3 hours for something very complex. I don’t think you want to send out a professional report unless you have a few hours into it - including the appraisal inspection.

 

[NC Appraising]

True, but I've seen appraisers take 10 days to turn a file in my area with a lot of homogeneous housing. Their reports are 60+ pages long chock full of useless graphs and analysis, only to arrive at a conclusion that should have probably been developed in a couple of hours. No way the end user reads all that commentary, maybe with the exception of some rural, farm, complex, and commercial assignments not intended for a bank.

We are supposed to gain understanding of a problem in order to solve it, but part of the problem is is how do we do that more efficiently? What's worked in the past doesn't work now. This isn't 1992 anymore and data technology and access to information is at your fingertips.

I think some wish we would still be writing long narrative reports on paper and glue sticking the polaroid comp photos.

I agree with the first part. When I was trained back in 2004, my mentor instructed me to wait 1-2 weeks to turn in the report. Crazy. He had the dumbest reason for this. Never understood it.

As for "

of useless graphs and analysis

Im kinda of offended, but I also agree with you. lol. I hate seeing fluff and the report is still shet....number hitter. Skippie the number hitter with a fluff report....using superior comps to meet the contract price, instead of making market condition adjustments.

I use graphs, etc. because that is what FHA and Fannie wants us to do....I have NEVER heard a UW or Fannie say "that appraiser explained things too much and included too much data....it is usually I wish they would explain more and add data to support their conclusions?

 

[NC Appraising]

As I noted above, if you were not doing that as of last fall sometime, that option is no longer available. Only plausible reason is to force the subscription angle.

https://www.alamode.com/quicksource I am guessing this is what the OP is talking about? Yes, it is clunky. I tested it. Free won the day.

Spark is a better choice if you do not want all of that clunkyness.

Take control of your appraisal data with SmartExchange

Our new feature allows you to transparently share your comps grid data with your peers - and get access to theirs - in a way that’s so simple and quick.

www.alamode.com

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

I search for my own comps, (or my mentor does) which we have in pdf form

? I have not used forms in a long time but Clickforms has a comp data base. Simple import. Most software I have used has that database which is searchable although I had a pretty good memory in those days and recalled using certain comps that came up in my public records search.

And my process to to search the public records in a compiled searchable database. Then I go to the MLS to match up those sales. And finally, I search by address in Google since the area I work often has overlapping MLSs for rural property and it does not always show up in the expected MLS. Google will give me a link to Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, or other home search engine and most of the data. Finally I search the deeds and mortgages on line, or if necessary, driving to the courthouse. That gives me the best finance data. 10 of 9 MLS records will not accurately define the financing. With the mortgage I know if it is in house, FNMA/FREDDy, FHA, has a VA rider, or if owner financing is involved. Most of the Owner Financed will be marked "Cash" by the Realtor.

unless you have a few hours into it

Many appraisers feel they are worthy of $300 an hour or higher compensation. Garbage in, garbage out. I have seen any number of reports that overlooked nearby sales simply because their simple MLS map search missed them. And not 1 in 10 have an adequate land grid for land sales and therefore the site adjustments are often inconsistent mathematically.

 

[Vermonter]

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.

What you are looking to do is map a .csv file from your MLS and then map that .csv file into Total. It can be done as most all MLS providers have some way to export data. The problem I have run into is MLS doesn't love automated downloads so they make your life difficult and you have to constantly remap your .csv.

It's definitely a good thing to know how to do tho and you will have to search your specific MLS to figure out the download side.

For the Total import side you can find info here- https://videos.alamode.com/view/appraiser-tech-tip-import-MLS-data-from-a-text-file/

 

[DWiley]

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.

Have you looked at DataMaster and/or Spark?

Importing data from MLS systems into appraisal forms software has been available for a very long time. How it works for an individual appraiser depends on (1) the choice of importing software (2) the choice of forms software (3) the structure of the local MLS, and (4) the type of properties in the area.

 

[hvgcs]

I don't argue there are no ways to improve. But I am convinced our most dangerous competition is from very large organizations employing a few with licenses whose only function is to sign a report populated by others, quickly.

And don't dismiss the benefits of narrative reports. Having written many over the years for ag and commercial and residential for litigation, one thing is very clear to me. If you write something, text or number, as opposed to reviewing something already on the page (such as boilerplate that isn't tailored to the task at hand) you tend to gloss over errors far more often in the latter case.

I read an article this morning on how to develop a process by which to use Python and ChatGPT to create flashcards for learning some subject. From experience, there is benefit from gleaning the information from the source and writing it in your own terms, even if you never look at it again. Much the same as wrangling data. To each his own. I understand and trust my brain, so am in no rush to replace it with inferior, albeit quicker, things. After all, ChatGPT can generate BS faster than any of us will ever match. It will take a brain to shovel the BS aside to root out the truth.

I do appreciate this viewpoint. I always try to check my work and make sure that things make sense. Of course, I sometimes don't catch my errors even after combing through the report more than once. I don't want AI to replace us. Maybe what would be nice is if the MLS companies would start standardizing the way the information is presented. I use 3 different MLS and everything is in a different spot. I'm pretty used to it now, so it's not so bad, but anyway...just sayin.