Commercial Complete software?

[rescom]

Downloaded the demo, very restricted...

Do you think narrative1 is the best software?

I'm just trying to decide on which one I should get, and I don't want to waste $1000+ if I can get something better.

 

[roncaro]

I have been using narative 1 but some guys in the office have been looking at report builder 2.0 and argus report solutions, which are identical products. Report builder 2.0 and argus are willing to sell their software for much less than N1 and the do appear to have a good product.

 

[Kali the Boston Terrier]

Do you think narrative1 is the best software?

I'm just trying to decide on which one I should get, and I don't want to waste $1000+ if I can get something better.

I liked it back when it was @value, although I was unhappy with their customer support when the comp database crashed and wiped out my entire database. I personally have my own templates and have gotten pretty good with search and replace. Frankly, these template programs make me narrative lazy. I tend to write more when I do not use these programs, which for me is usually a good thing

 

[Mountain Man]

It's just Word and DataComp for us. Once you write and learn your own formats, a few being client specific, I can write a report in one day with verified data. Two or three appraisals a week is not unattainable... not unlike doing 2 URAR's a day for a specific client. It's all in what you learn and make a habit.

 

[Scott Lanz]

I agree with Mountain Man on what you are comfortable with. I used @value for years and tried Report Builder last year, didn't like it, and moved back to N1 (the new @value). I had some problems with RB technically, and it could have been on my side. I purchased it, worked with it for months trying to build a template, and only got one appraisal out using that software. I went back to N1 and had an appraisal done in 3 days using the new version.

These decisions cost me some money, mostly in time and mostly with switching to Report Builder. The actual cost of the software package can pale in comparison to lost revenue if the learning curve for the software, any software, is high.

I am one of those guys that is always looking for increased efficiency, and it's because I personally enjoy the quest. It probably costs me as much as I save, but that's OK.

I still use DataComp as an additional database to N1 just for security.

I haven't seen the software that is the topic of this post, or heard any reviews on it.

There are a couple of features N1 has that I don't think they push enough. I know they read this forum so this is as much for them as it is for you.

Let's say I work long and hard and put together a really strong sales comparison approach with lots of information, discussion, etc. I get another assignment and can use this approach again. I can copy this approach to the new appraisal very quickly and the fields are remapped for my current appraisal. I change a few adjustments and unit of comparison for the new appraisal and hit update and it puts all the new information everywhere in the new report, i.e. value for the approach, effective date, etc.

Also, you can save entire sections under the auto text section and tab them for reference and insert quickly. In my real estate tax section, I quickly set up template for 1-5 parcels. So, if I have three parcels, I enter in all the data in excel, go to word and with three clicks enter in the sheet for 3 parcel and hit update. This updates this section and my executive summary section.

The Google Earth mapping feature is just really cool. You need the lat/long for the subject and comps and it does the rest.

 

[Tar Heel]

I also used the older versions of @Value and liked its simplicity. I never upgraded to the later versions of @Value, but just continued using the old version. I used my own database in Access, but it lacked the bells and whistles that are available, so I was recently looking at Datacomp and was about to purchase it when I decided to contact Narrative1 to see what they offered. They walked me through a demo and I really liked it, so I went with them. Their support has been outstanding! They are knowledgeable and friendly and willing to take the time to make sure you understand how to use the software.

I agree with another poster that it doesn't and shouldn't reduce your narrative writing, but it does save a lot of time on the basic inputs that go throughout the report. The autotext feature is also very nice as well as the integration between the database, grid, and report. And it utilizes a lot of Office features that are time savers that I wouldn't know how to set up myself. Definitely worth the cost in my opinion.

I've never used RB, but I know someone who has and he advised me not to get it as he didn't like it at all. Since he had experience with it and was adamant about his dislike for it, I took his word for it.

 

[stephenbullock]

Narrative 1 and Commercial Complete

I bought Narrative 1 six weeks ago but have not had time to try it out. I had a demo this morning of Commecial Complete. Narrative 1 has a learning curve, Commercial Complete looks extremely easy to use and unless there is some kind of limitation I am not aware of, it looks like it would increase an appraiser's productivity far more than Narrative 1.

 

[rescom]

I bought Narrative 1 six weeks ago but have not had time to try it out. I had a demo this morning of Commecial Complete. Narrative 1 has a learning curve, Commercial Complete looks extremely easy to use and unless there is some kind of limitation I am not aware of, it looks like it would increase an appraiser's productivity far more than Narrative 1.

Thats kind of what I was thinking.

I just bought Commercial Complete the other day but have not had a chance to use it yet. They are offering 30% off the Pro package. I got it for $835. That beats $1,500 for N1.

 

[stephenbullock]

Commercial Complete

Please let me know how Commercial Complete works out when you have a chance to use it. Commercial Complete's database alone appears it may be worth the cost of the complete program if it works as shown in the demonstration videos. Regards, stephenx.bullock@gmail

 

[11b5vf7]

Why did you make a purchase and not get trained? It doesn't sound like you are giving yourself or the software a fair review. I have been a user of Narrative1 for a couple of years. Previously I had tried to make RB & Datacomp work for me but they just were not flexible enough. I like my reports to be above the norm. Not too mention I rarely get normal appraisals.

I don't know much about Commercial Complete as I have always been most satisfied with Narrative1. No matter what my question is they hold my hand and get me through, even when it's not really related to Narrative1(word or excel). They could just say "It has nothing to do with us", but they don't.

I keep up with a support contract just because they are are always coming up with new and innovative ways to make my job easier, so I like being able to get upgrades & tech support when ever I want. Sometimes you just can't put a price on quality and reliablilty.