Corelogic Just Acquired Alamode

[Fargo1]

I'd be interested in taking a look at that as well. Do you have a link?

The software I am talking about is called ResiValue. My internet searching in the past lead me to believe it is produced by an appraisal firm in Texas. When I called the firm, they said it is their software, and it works, but its not yet available for use due to some technical issues. As I recall it was something to do with gaining access to some data ports that were being denied by the big appraisal firms. I don't recall what the issue was. Nor do I know any more about the company or if its even legitimate. But it seems real from my research. Please let me know if any one knows anything else.

I don't have to be happy about the alamode acquisition, but I don't have to use them either. I've left clients and other software companies in the past when they turned focus toward big data or AMCs without regard to the appraiser. So I have no reason to stay with alamode either. I am loyal to my clients. I will even work for a smaller fee for a loyal client who treats me with respect and appreciates an honest appraisal. I will knock myself out for a good client. But once they view my business as a commodity, without regard to quality or the working relationship that was established, I will walk away from them.

I'm keeping my eyes and ears open for anyone new as well as watching what Bradford does as well as SFREP. I felt burned by ACI in the past, and their connection with First American gives me reason to hesitate. But I will consider them again as well. I think they just released their cloud software. I expect to see cloud software and more innovation from Bradford in the future too. SFREP has a new software platform that appears to be nearly ready for a release. It looks promising. Probably my favorite even. But as a Linux user I am not interested in anything that is Windows only.

 

[lefty2cox]

Thank you for that info Fargo

 

[lefty2cox]

exactly. there is no entitlement. no one owes anything other than payment for work completed, even if you bought them a car.

Right Tres. The comment about the car was obviously directed at me. Let me make this clear. I AM entitled to fire a vendor if their very business goal undermines my business. I said vendor, not client. I am also entitled to point out what I consider to be a betrayal of the business / customer relationship and convince others to do the same. That's where my entitlement ends. No one owes anyone anything. That's my opinion. If it offends you that I'm "bad-mouthing" alamode, I don't know what to tell you.

I'm struggling to understand the opposition to this concept. It exists in every business. It's simply one company refusing to do business with another due to a conflict. It's as old as time and continues today. I just think it makes good business sense.

 

[Deleted member 130081]

please take a few minutes to read and digest what you quote before answering it, it will help to make you appear less foolish. the question was:



i asked home a question about a FNMA form and you jump in with your $0.02 that did not answer the question and skated around it. try, try again.




that was already tried, and died. ask evincere.

Good thing Edison did not give up so easily.

 

[Deleted member 130081]

A supposedly appraiser-owned cooperative AMC was tried and it did not work out. It was called the National Valuation Service Appraiser Cooperative and was run by two appraisers, at least one of which still participates on the AF on a regular basis. I am not exactly sure why it did not work out, but I suspect that the compliance and operating costs involved with starting and running an AMC, along with the operating costs are much higher than most appraisers think that they are and I doubt that the economics of a cooperative model work for that reason. Additionally, an appraiser owned AMC would have to compete with other AMC's for business which means it is likely that they could pay appraisers no more than other AMC's anyhow.

Yes. All true. Ever hear of something called the MVP? Its the Minimum Viable Product. I think a successful stab at this would need to keep the MVP in mind. They say 75% of new businesses fail. To me, much of that is simply bad planning and bad execution. Something like this could work, and the possibilities go much further than just making a few bucks. I don't see financing or logistics as the largest hurdle.

 

[Overimprovement]

Just a thought here, and may need the moderator's assistance...is there an area of the country that has at least several members of this forum in close proximity? What if several geographically close appraisers got together over lunch, and talked about the pros and cons of such a venture? Some of the practical sides of marketing, creating a panel, and oversight. How would oversight even work, so that one bad or rogue appraiser did not ruin the reputation of the entire group? Things like that...

I do agree the tech side is probably the least problematic. Lots of solutions out there, IF one keeps it simple. I mean we are talking about ordering, having clients be able to get some sort of real time updates, and delivery, right? If delivery was in simple PDF, that seems like it would eliminate both data mining potential and a couple layers of 'stuff'.

I would think the goal would be to reach only the lenders who feel they have to use an AMC for regulatory reasons, or who want to just to for simple reasons. Not so much those who need a sophisticated system with lots of bells and whistles.

I would be interested in discussing with anyone, not that I have any magic or great skills starting a business, just brain-storming stuff.

 

[timd354]

Yes. All true. Ever hear of something called the MVP? Its the Minimum Viable Product. I think a successful stab at this would need to keep the MVP in mind. They say 75% of new businesses fail. To me, much of that is simply bad planning and bad execution. Something like this could work, and the possibilities go much further than just making a few bucks. I don't see financing or logistics as the largest hurdle.

If you think it could be done, maybe you and Lefty can get together and give it a shot.....I am guessing that if this was a viable model that it would have already have been done, but maybe you guys will prove me wrong.

 

[lefty2cox]

Just a thought here, and may need the moderator's assistance...is there an area of the country that has at least several members of this forum in close proximity? What if several geographically close appraisers got together over lunch, and talked about the pros and cons of such a venture? Some of the practical sides of marketing, creating a panel, and oversight. How would oversight even work, so that one bad or rogue appraiser did not ruin the reputation of the entire group? Things like that...

I do agree the tech side is probably the least problematic. Lots of solutions out there, IF one keeps it simple. I mean we are talking about ordering, having clients be able to get some sort of real time updates, and delivery, right? If delivery was in simple PDF, that seems like it would eliminate both data mining potential and a couple layers of 'stuff'.

I would think the goal would be to reach only the lenders who feel they have to use an AMC for regulatory reasons, or who want to just to for simple reasons. Not so much those who need a sophisticated system with lots of bells and whistles.

I would be interested in discussing with anyone, not that I have any magic or great skills starting a business, just brain-storming stuff.

Absolutely. And if geography prohibits, maybe a virtual meeting of some type. It would be helpful, I think if some of these people with some expertise in the relevant areas could attend. Their insight would be invaluable. I know for a fact some of you have backgrounds in business, tech and some have run some pretty large shops.

 

[Evincere]

Just a thought here, and may need the moderator's assistance...is there an area of the country that has at least several members of this forum in close proximity? What if several geographically close appraisers got together over lunch, and talked about the pros and cons of such a venture? Some of the practical sides of marketing, creating a panel, and oversight. How would oversight even work, so that one bad or rogue appraiser did not ruin the reputation of the entire group? Things like that...

I do agree the tech side is probably the least problematic. Lots of solutions out there, IF one keeps it simple. I mean we are talking about ordering, having clients be able to get some sort of real time updates, and delivery, right? If delivery was in simple PDF, that seems like it would eliminate both data mining potential and a couple layers of 'stuff'.

I would think the goal would be to reach only the lenders who feel they have to use an AMC for regulatory reasons, or who want to just to for simple reasons. Not so much those who need a sophisticated system with lots of bells and whistles.

I would be interested in discussing with anyone, not that I have any magic or great skills starting a business, just brain-storming stuff.

I don’t believe that Mercury which is a delivery platform concerns itself with oversight per se - any more than the postal delivery man concerns himself with whether the package or letter he delivers has the accurate postage. His function is to deliver what’s been given to him

 

[lefty2cox]

I don’t believe that Mercury which is a delivery platform concerns itself with oversight per se - any more than the postal delivery man concerns himself with whether the package or letter he delivers has the accurate postage.

and if you're my mailman, if it even goes into the right box.