Ideas that save time and money

[Larry Lyke]

My favorite appraisal-process shortcut is my Order Form-Worksheet. It's pre-printed on light color paper. You can see-find it no matter what.

I enter all order information and work-up information leading to the inspection sheet on that form. I use a blank piece of 8 1/2 and 11" regular white paper for the inspection itself and write notes that I need to to know to APPEAR knowledgeable and not stumble on any point in front of the HO (like Mtg. Co. name, LO name, HO's name [him & her]. This sheet includes any questions about the property that I couldn't learn from the appointment-setting conversation. I work them into the conversation.

Then as I "wander" the property (in very strict order), I note anything I want to further address with the HO.

From the time I leave the office till the time I get back, there's few unplanned moves. That in itself is extremely cost-effective, insofar as time is money.

I never hesistate to adopt (steal?) somebody's else's good idea about improving my work methods, either.

I think the investment in hi-tech is a very good investment, even if you have to finance it. Now, my desk is almost clear except for the 17" LCD video, lamp, handy reference books and keyboard at an odd angle draped on the desk slideout. The lateral files are behind me where you'd normally expect a credenza. Fax, 2 printers, shredder, tower case, CD player, phone. Everything within "arm's length" reach without getting up. All looking out a huge picture window facing east.

It'll soon be time to make way for the treadmill if I don't start getting up more!!

 

[Sooner Mike]

Dee Dee,

That sounds like a great system. I personally lug around the MLS sheets for all of my comps, quite difficult to manage as I'm driving around. I have an inspection form that I use for my subject, but never thought about one for my comps. Take a look at my inspection form:

http://www.millerappraisalservices.com/Ins...pectionform.pdf

Is this similar to what you are using? Would you have any suggestions?

 

[Daniel Williams]

Mike....your inspection forum appears to be a blank piece of paper :?

 

[Dee Dee]

Yeah Mike...I really want to see it but nothing is there!
Would post mine but have absolutely NO idea how to do so. :?
Don't have a scanner but will fax a copy of mine to anyone who has the time to mess around with it and would like to post it, as well as my comp form. Might not look so good after being faxed but at least it'll give a general idea.

Dee Dee

 

[Dee Dee]

And by the way...I never switched over to the Denver MLS internet access system, preferring to use their old DOS software which I can pull comps and print on dot matrix printer. It works well for me rather than printing out individual sheets on each comp. I'm so used to it I can flip through very quickly and scan the sheets based on the search criteria that I input.
This is one case where I think the old technology beats out the new.
Cheaper for the paper and printing, plus it saves me the hassle of multiple sheets that fall over the front seat.

 

[Mountain Man]

Mike,
I got the blank page as well. Also visited your web page, NICE web site, but a couple of your links on the web site also show a blank page (service/pricing & E&O insurance policy).

Mell.

 

[graindart]

I see the form fine........basically follows the URAR layout of information, without the large empty sections you'll need to fill in with sentences later anyways.

 

[wade3333]

I have a one person opeation, have 2 complete work stations,have linksys that links my 2 computers together, keep my appraisal, comps etc in both computers. Have adobe,scanner, printer, apex at both stations,should one computer crash, go to other one and keep on putting out the appraisals. This has been very beneficial to me. Wade

 

[David S. Roberson]

Sooner Mike;

Why not just use a blank 1004 form for the inspection? You can address practically all issues (except those required for HUD), and you can out your sketch on the other (blank) side?

 

[TEL2002]

It is great seeing a lot of ideas popping up.

I have started saving driving time by shooting pictures through the windshield. I used to go down the street, turn around then come back so I could shoot out the drivers rolled down window. By shooting out the windshield (for the houses to my right) I do lose a little clarity...but very little. I keep my windshield clean and hold the camera close to the glass. If it is an overcast day or getting near dusk, I shoot out the drivers window.

If I have to turn around anyway to go back up the street, I'll normally not shoot through windshield.

This has saved me a lot of U turns and traffic frustration.