Ideas that save time and money

[Mike Garrett RAA]

I have used this system for the last ten years and it has served me well


2030401

This would be 2 - the year (2002) 03 - the 3rd month 04 -the fourth appraisal of the month, and 01 - Appraiser #1...me.

In this way we can easily identify the date and the appraiser. No two numbers are ever the same. :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

DeeDee:

I know what you mean about 4x4. I have to have it. I need the ground clearance my Ram has and could use a few more inches. I lost a muffler off of it a few years ago crawling over rocks up an old logging road to get to a "proposed" homesite.

 

[Keri]

Okay,

This has nothing to do with filing, numbering, typing, or anything fancy,
yet I wish someone had suggested this to me sooner, as it would have saved some hassle:

The invoice should be the first page of a finished report.

Another appraiser suggested I do this, but I thought (as a shy newbie) it seemed pushy. Then I spent many many moons wondering why I never received payment on such polite reports. Now, a tad seasoned, I realize this is a business and should be treated as such. Plus, I've had LO and other clients tell me that they expect it on the front, otherwise, they assume it has been paid and forget about it.

Keri

PS- Love the suggestions!

 

[Charlotte Dixon]

Yes, Kerri.....That's a little Trick of the Trade! Sorry we forgot to tell you about that invoice being on top!

 

[TC]

Kathy,

What is a copier? Two things I decided not to purchase when I went solo: a copier and a typewriter. I print everything from the laser printer, all copies are original(oxymoron). And if I do need to copy something, I use my buck 50 scanner. For labels I use a Dymo label printer, saves time and money.

As to posting notes concerning a good appraisal, I remember what one of my bosses told me, "If someone says you did a great appraisal, you were too high!"

TC

 

[Russ]

You guys are forgetting the most important time saver! SOFTWARE! All I can say is that I have used them all and Bradford's Toolbox is a HUGE time saver! You guys are scaring me.

I use Toolbox with Apex, Geo Locator, and a Sony Mavica Camera! Never any problems, can "manipulate" the files very easily, integrates with everything, (gif, jpeg, html, cut and paste, scanner, etc.) I can import anything I want including very nice full color builder neighborhood maps and floorplans, no downloading pictures, never a problem, never a reboot! (since XP upgrade)

I NEVER take pictures out a windshield! We are supposed to be doing an exterior inspection! I get out of my car (hot rod chevy van!) and look in the back yard to verify an additions and/or open space/view amenities. All my sketches are done in detail on graph paper for accuracy, I complete a sketch including interior walls and patios/decks. (just like a builder floorplan)

I print many pages of comps if necessary! I have learned in the past, printing a couple extra pages is much better than going back! Folders and paper are so cheap. I have a folder for each appraisal, and inside is full CMA's, notes, a very detailed sketch, all my comps, data to support my final value estimate/any adjustments, and my picture disk with all my photos including interior photos. It is called a "work folder" which I believe is a USPAP requirement. I have all my clients set up with Email, I have not printed or delivered a report in years.

I am amazed at some of the "time savers" that I believe reflects a poor report. Only one post said anything about a CMA! You can not do a proper sketch on a blank piece of paper, at least not the homes I appraise in Colorado. I load up my report with a very detailed sketch, very detailed neighborhood descriptions, several photos especially if there is open space, greenbelts, or golf courses involved, and very, very nice maps! I leave OUT all the B.S. including useless disclosure pages, salient features, transmittal letters, etc. I give them what they want, comps, detail, photos, sketch, and nice maps!

I spend my time on detail and presentation. I do NOT waste time on software issues or printing folder labels. Bradford's has a very nice, easy, and simple tracker so finding old reports (or templates) is a snap! Keyboard literacy is important for speed, Bradford's and Apex are very well designed programs for "anti mouse" people like me who prefer the keyboard. (example, to add a toilet icon in Apex; alt [key] d [for draw icon] to [it will fill in the rest for you] and enter [key] 3 keystrokes at about .003 second for a nice toilet icon) The keyboard is 10 times faster than the mouse!

I highly recommend Bradford's, Apex, and Geo Locator! Great looking reports and very simple (windows based) programs that work flawlessly together! Better not be hearing about any more photos through the windshield, and NEVER type in all caps! Got it?

 

[Dee Dee]

I have to say that I agree with Kathy about using a copier. Since I don't do EDI (never had anyone request it), it's the least expensive way to save on ink. Have a laser printer but after the last cartridge ran out about a year ago I just never bothered replacing it.
I also like it for making copies of checks I recieve from clients, always putting a copy into it's appropriate file. In addition I like making copies of the neighborhood maps that I'll be using on inspections. I can highlight all of my stops (subject and comps) for driving efficiency and it fits better on my clipboard than my map book. I'd be lost without it!

 

[Charlotte Dixon]

It is called a "work folder" which I believe is a USPAP requirement....
I am amazed at some of the "time savers" that I believe reflects a poor report. ........You can not do a proper sketch on a blank piece of paper.......keyboard. (example, to add a toilet icon in Apex......for a nice toilet icon)....... Better not be hearing about any more photos through the windshield, and NEVER type in all caps! Got it?

Gee Russ, You are just one perfect kind of guy! Don't know how any of us managed all these years without your pointers :roll: Here are a couple for you:
1)NEVER, and I mean NEVER show up on a borrower's step with that GREAT BIG smart alec ATTITUDE. :wink: and

2)There's a new saying going around......"One perfect toilet icon does not a good appraiser make" by cdixon :lol:

 

[Richard Carlsen]

I have reduced my inspection form down to one page that follows the data entry on the 1004. 95% of the answers are preprinted on the page and all I have to do is circle the correct one. ex Street: paved , gravel, public, private or Heating type: fa, hwbb, elebb, space, convect, gasFP.

This quick data collection page is then copied on the back of an American Realty Forms Sketch Addendum for use as a one page sketch / data collection sheet in the field. No more fumbling around. Just turn the sketch over and start gathering data.

The other thing that I do is to always follow a routine when inspecting a house. Mine goes like this;

Take street photos
Take all outside photos
Measure all exteriors and produce sketch.
Measure interior rooms and set walls on sketch
Gather data for 1st and 2nd floors
Gather data for basement
Take picture of heat unit while in basement
Photograph interior of house
Ask any specific questions of the homeowner and leave my card

If I stay within my ritual, I get all of the information I need. If I don't, that's when I may miss something.

 

[TEL2002]

Looks like I created a discussion when I mentioned I do some windshield photos and it sames me time, etc. Maybe I should explain this in greater detail.

I always physically inspect the subject property. 90% of the time I take many more pictures of the subject than I will ever use in the report.

My windshied pictures refer to comps. I do not do all comp photos this way but....there are times I am (1) on a busy state highway, (2) on a one way street with lots of traffic, or (3) in a neighborhood where taking photos of a house might get you into more trouble than you want. When you are in these kind of situations a windshield photo can be a life saver...and I do mean 'life', my life. We have all made stops and turns that are hazardous to ourselves and others...I would like to keep these to a minimum if I can.

When I do a windshield photo the odds are about 95 out of a 100 you would never know that I took the picture through the window. The few times there is a slight degradation, it is absolutely minimal.

I go into the field with all MLS data on subject and comps, all county data on subject and comps. I can study the comps through the windshield or a rolled down window and there is no difference in my data gathering or verification. (We are fortunate in this area to have all of our counties 'online' and get all tax and auditors info easily. I also subscribe to the 'online' MLS and print out mucho paper each month. I also purchase all county data through Haines Criss Cross, and this data is on my computer and I can search for sold properties in any way you want.

I originally started this string so we could all share our ideas (good or bad) that work or have not worked for us. Then others can pick up on some of those ideas...if they want. The idea was not for us to critize another persons filing system or method of work. If the idea works in there environment then it must have merit...at least to them. We all waste times in different ways.

NEW IDEA

I use Wintotal. when you enter a new client you are prompted to enter an ID code for that client. The other day I hit on the idea of changing that ID to DEADBEAT for a couple of x-clients. Then I hit on the idea of going to this forum's deadbeat list and add some of the deadbeats listed there to my list. This way if I get an email or fax from one of them I will already have them logged in my computer for what they are. A quick look at my database and there request goes in the round file.

Don't know if this will help jog feeble memory...or just waste my time.

ANOTHER NEW IDEA

Here in NE Ohio we have had a couple of nice nice days. Let's take the weekend off.