Tim Hicks (Texas)
Elite Member
- Joined
- Jan 15, 2002
- Professional Status
- Certified Residential Appraiser
- State
- Texas
About 15 years ago, a big bank lender client called all their roster appraisers in for a big meeting. They were a big time client for most of us. The meeting was to tell us that they were switching to Appraisalport and AI-ready delivery. I thought we appraisers were all going stand unified against it. We questioned and distrusted the system with many queries from the group. Not a single appraiser turned down the change. I was astonished and fell right in line with the rest of them because I didn't want to lose my business to all the other appraisers. That's just how it works in this business.
Years later, a few major clients switched to ACI delivery requiring HotSpot for conversion and QC. It took about ten deliveries to realize no client was worth using HotSpot or ACI delivery. I didn't let other appraisers influence me this time, but my business did suffer for it until I found other clients that did not require the same delivery method. If you quit doing AMC work, you will find no need to ACI delivery.
When Fannie Mae changed to UAD and XML, the writing was on the wall. If you want to do lender work, you will have to do UAD and XML. When it is an entire industry and not just a few lenders, you have decision to make. You can learn to accept it, you can leave altogether or you can only do non-lender work. I already know that appraisers as a whole will not stand united against anything. Software providers serve their clients (appraisers) and provide what they need. They can advise the pitfalls (Alamode does), but they are still in the software business to sell to their customers needs.
Years later, a few major clients switched to ACI delivery requiring HotSpot for conversion and QC. It took about ten deliveries to realize no client was worth using HotSpot or ACI delivery. I didn't let other appraisers influence me this time, but my business did suffer for it until I found other clients that did not require the same delivery method. If you quit doing AMC work, you will find no need to ACI delivery.
When Fannie Mae changed to UAD and XML, the writing was on the wall. If you want to do lender work, you will have to do UAD and XML. When it is an entire industry and not just a few lenders, you have decision to make. You can learn to accept it, you can leave altogether or you can only do non-lender work. I already know that appraisers as a whole will not stand united against anything. Software providers serve their clients (appraisers) and provide what they need. They can advise the pitfalls (Alamode does), but they are still in the software business to sell to their customers needs.
