EDI or die?

[Tim Hicks (Texas)]

I was just wondering the percentage of appraisers that actually complete their appraisal reports in an entirely digital format for EDI transmission. I think it would be a good poll question. I use wintotal athena. Every report I complete could be e-mailed in PDF form with every addenda. However, I know several appraisers that don't have any desire to send their reports electronically. I still know appraisers that that paste their maps manually and put their reports together from piles with canned addenda. I know one appraiser who made over $150,000 last year and has never sent a report electronically and laughs at the thought of it. I would say half of the lenders I service wouldn't begin to know how to receive an e-mailed report and certainly don't want to learn. What do you forum contibutors think?

 

[Ken Martin]

I would say that 75% of my work goes out EDI using Adobe. That is primarily because of my VA work. It could be 100% if the lenders would all upgrade their systems.

 

[Theresa in Oregon]

About 50% of my work goes out EDI but that is because about 50% is performed for AMCs. When I started my company two years ago 100% of my work was done for AMCs and I set my business up to be fully EDI capable. As I acquired new and better clients, the amount of work I performed for AMCs decreased accordingly. (I kept the AMCs who are willing to pay my full fee.)

None of my non-AMC clients are capable of receiving digital reports. These I still must print out and deliver. However, even the printed reports contain digital photographs and maps and scanned-in exhibits.

I do not use PDF or Lighthouse. I only e-mail reports. After transmission (for which I ALWAYS request an e-mail delivery receipt), I print out one hard copy for my own file.

Like you, Tim, I know a good many appraisers who still cut and paste their reports. I know one or two who don't even use a computer. But these people have office staff to type and assemble their reports - I do not. Given the savings in paper, toner, time and delivery costs, I am in favor of electronic transmission whenever possible.

 

[Will Granger]

I do some EDI and like it, but my main work is relocation and divorce. The relo companies and lawyers haven't ramped up yet to receive reports electronically. I find putting together and EDI report doesn't save any time, but it can all be done sitting in the chair with the mouse. I also have a client I EDI to who doesn't always get all of what I send. Oh well, that's progress. :lol:

 

[Dan Leggett]

I have thought about raising my fees on paper copy reports just to drag some of my better clients into the eworld. Most of them have email and Adobe Acrobat but plead that they have to have a copy to send to FNMA. When I prove to them that "No you don't" I then hear that"underwriting requires paper". I don't know whether to make good on my price increase and possibly lose my best clients or just keep printing out the report.

 

[Mountain Man]

99% of what I do is EDI. I have only 2 clients that can't or won't accept PDF (one a small local bank, the other an AMC). I even spent some time to assist one of the my lenders to become capable, so that I would not have do drive 30 miles to deliver the reports. Once they got the idea, they loved it.
I get requests from the occasional individual or attorney. But when I ask them how they would like it delivered, paper or e-mail, they usually respond by "you can e-mail it!!!!???" Then I say "Yes I can, that means that you will get it in about 5 minutes after I have finished it. "

Mell.

 

[Pamela Crowley (Florida)]

I think I actually printed out about 7 reports last year. Love EDI. Secured PDF only though.

 

[Will Granger]

Wow! I'll just ask from now on. That may save me some $$ on ink for the printer and paper. I'll get this appraisal thing figured out one of these millenia. Thanks for the poke!

 

[rpayne]

About 90 percent here. Mostly adobe PDF and I love it. Fantastic way to send reports. The sound of the printer chugging along is a distant memory. Most of my private clients like it too.

 

[MarkRichmond]

I would say about 80% of my business is PDF and I love the time savings it provides. If a lender says they have to get it printed I up the fee $10 to cover printing and shipping.