Ideas that save time and money

[Anonymous]

Shooting thru the windows can be helped by using a polarizing lens on the camera otherwise I find the glare unacceptable.

 

[Anonymous]

I use color folders and tab positions to tell me at a quick glance what orders I have in progress, done waiting payment and finished and paid for:

red folders are for appraisals in progress.
green folders are done appraisals.

tab at extreme left w red folder means work in progress.
tab at exterme left w green folder as delayed

tab in middle, green folder means work done, awaiting payment;

tab at exteme right, green folder, work done and paid for.

name system is 3 digit with a modifier: L for drive by
R for review, F for farm, etc. 201L, 201F, etc.

I use a brother M tape electronic label maker for neatness.

for billing I number year and report # such as 02-0100 etc.

 

[Mountain Man]

Like Wade, I have an old computer that I have networked as a back up. It also gives the wife access to the net without messing with my office (we live much happier now).

I have a special folder on my computer where I save the appraisals that I sent EDI. They are the exact, originals. Every now and then, I will make a back up of this file with my data back up.

At the end of year, I will burn a CD with all of my appraisal files, photos, etc. This helps to keep my computer clean of old data taking up room on the hard drive, but I still have access if I need it in the future. The software I use has a tracking feature, so I don't have a problem finding past jobs. I just search by address or name. I use the date of inspection as my file number with letters like UR or LM to indicate what type of report. IE: A Limited 2055 would be labeled LM-02/25/02, Field Review is FR-02/25/02, etc. Works okay for me, a one man shop.

Mell.

P.S. Quick Books Rule!

 

[Charlotte Dixon]

All great ideas! Inspection process: I start with a blank page at the front door and tell the homeowner (if they are there) that I'll call them if I need them, and Yes, I don't need their dog jumping on me. I draw the floor plan, starting at the front door. Been doing this so long that I use standardized abbreviations...Draw the bathroom, put a V there for vinyl flr. F for fiberglass surround. Dining Room, put a W or C for wood or carpet. I keep it simple like you all do, I'm sure.

Dry Erase Board (big one): Couldn't live without it! Name, Address, File #, Date In, Date They Want It Back. Lender. After inspecting it, I put an "I" next to it.

Save Money Ladies, This Way:
Group your inspections 2-3 days a week. Schedule all the appointments in those days you can manage efficiently. The other days work in on the computer with non-professional attire and no make-up!!! :lol:

 

[Charlotte Dixon]

Forgot....
Regarding Non-professional attire and no make-up...

Don't answer the door!

 

[Liz South]

Lots of interesting ideas. When I am inspecting, I sketch on graph paper and sketch to scale. Has saved me many a time, also know immediately in the field whether all my dimensions are correct. (did the box close?), also have a comp sales worksheet that just involves circling data about the 5 or so comps that I choose for a particular job.
Also have a "homeowner questionaire" that I keep on my clipboard to get nosy homeowner out of my hair, questions such as special features, upgrades, remodeling, special neighborhood amenities etc. Ask the homeowner to sit down in the kitchen and fill it in while I am inspecting - gets them to do something - also gives me additional info that can be used if needed, but not often used. Generally used to keep the homeowner busy.
Keep my completed jobs filed by subdivision, so immediately have previous info about subdivision and/or PUD data at my fingertips for future jobs.

Keep smiling - spring is coming.

Liz

 

[Cliff Salisbury]

I think that this idea of sharing informatuion on wyas that you do things is great. It should be a seperate forum on its own.
I started at the begining of the year printing a copy to Adobe of each appraisal instead of making a copy for my files. This way I have a copy in the software program and and in adobe as a backup. This way if my program ever goes bad or I choose to change software vendors, an i may if they do not improve, I can open a copy of the Adobe file and at least view it and print it from the free reader. It saves on a lot of paper, ink, and storage space.

 

[Jim McGrath]

Liz, I also use graph paper to do the sketch on site, and start with a preliminary sketch downloaded from the property appraisers office, if available. This helps speed things up on the exterior, as all I have to do is check to be sure the county measurements are correct.

I also use a homeowners property disclosure form not just to keep the owner busy, though that helps, but also to have something to show due diligence, if and when it is necessary to go to court, when the attorney asks, "and you didn't even ask the homeowner about the problem?".

Another feature I use is to make an appraisal template to pull up for each of the larger subdivisions, or barrier islands I do work on. This contains all the neighborhood info, flood map info, and all comments specific to that neighborhood. This allows me to have almost half of 1004 done before I start, when I get an order for that area. This is better than filing this info for future use, as now it is already entered.

Jim McGrath

Lots of interesting ideas. When I am inspecting, I sketch on graph paper and sketch to scale. Has saved me many a time, also know immediately in the field whether all my dimensions are correct. (did the box close?), also have a comp sales worksheet that just involves circling data about the 5 or so comps that I choose for a particular job.
Also have a "homeowner questionaire" that I keep on my clipboard to get nosy homeowner out of my hair, questions such as special features, upgrades, remodeling, special neighborhood amenities etc. Ask the homeowner to sit down in the kitchen and fill it in while I am inspecting - gets them to do something - also gives me additional info that can be used if needed, but not often used. Generally used to keep the homeowner busy.
Keep my completed jobs filed by subdivision, so immediately have previous info about subdivision and/or PUD data at my fingertips for future jobs.

Keep smiling - spring is coming.

Liz

 

[Tim The Enchanter]

Some good thoughts here. I like the homeowner checklist by Liz. Keep 'em out of your hair.

I use (a lot) the Adobe PDF writer for printing initial research, several pages from MLS, several from public records, maybe some other little stuff, Email, whatever. I only print that stuff to pdf not paper. Print just the full detail pages for the comps I actually use, and a map, grid paper, and blank URAR (or other) for the field work.

Saves a ton of ink and paper, and you know the cost of those ink cortridges. Less paper to store for 7 years or so too. That was my main idea.

Each job gets it's own folder on the computer, and a folder to hold the papers I print until the job is done. When done the computer job folder goes into the completed folder and later goes to CD. The paper files are mostly 10-20 pages and get stapled and put in an archive box. About 6 months of paper fits into one of those white cardboard storage boxes for me.

 

[Larry Lyke]

TE --

Shooting Comps through the windshield is an absolute no-no with me. UWs usually frown on it.

It has one distinct disadvantage to the Appraiser in that the Appraiser is advertising a degree of carelessness or lack of care, dealer's choice, that might be perceptable in the appraisal report itself if the UW only cares enough to dig deep enough to annoy the Appraiser back. [Smile]