Inevitably, when I'm offered a "big fee", it turns out not to be worth "2 little fees", because those monsters require more time measuring, more photos to log & use, more time to account for the architect's oblique angles, semi-circular bathrooms jumping out the side of the house, etc. I'm excited when I get a tract home with all 90 degree corners!
It's clear that the software companies are picking our pockets, and perhaps at some point they will also become one of the parasites that kill off it's host. In my world, looking at my cost to be in business (including pricey gasoline in CA now over $6/gal) the AMC fee predation has reached a point where most are not economically viable to take orders from anymore. $1000+ software yearly leases??? C'mon. $1000+ CA license renewals?! Databases?! E&O?! etc?!
Well, hubby & I were discussing the costs of being in this business with current fees, and we're leaning toward focusing on other income sources. Heck, I've had my RE license for over 40 years, and that seems a natural change in direction for me.
With all the niggling "tech fees", plus other real costs of doing business, and without a real increase in fees to the appraiser, it is likely that database providers, software companies, E&O outfits, AMCs and even state licensing bureaus may be killing off a profitable source of revenue. Which will die off first?... AMCs? ...software providers? It seems it's all for benefit of corporate profits, and abuses consumers and appraisers big time.
(and secretly, I'm looking fwd to lenders who do not use 'eyes-on' appraisers getting REO's of some the the hellacious homes I've experienced appraising. Surprise! surprise! surprise!)
