iphone appraisal ap

[2008 KC Royals]

TW,


As usual, I remind all that I am an iPad owner/user, so this is no iPad flame. I am agnostic in that regard and am simply recommending that folks not rush to buy on the release date without checking out all "the comps."
/end/

I think its funny everybody has to try to appease the Apple freaks. Had a few run-ins with the Cult of Apple?

 

[Randall Garrett]

KCR,

Yup, but then sometimes I manage to miscommunicate my thoughts on other tech stuff, too. Maybe the problem is ME, LOL.

-Randall Garrett-
..Apex Software..

/end/

 

[SWright]

silverstreak,

Sorry I didn't see your thread earlier. If you send me an email, I'd be happy to give you a webex of PhoenixMobile, or simply discuss over the phone what we've got and what you'd like to see us come out with.

swright (at) phoenixsuite.com

Cheers,

Steven Wright

 

[SWright]

Finally, the product that the OP (silverstreak) mentioned is not DaVinci. It is a completely different app written by some folks who wrote other sketching programs in the past.

Sorry, I feel the need to clarify Randall's comment so there is no confusion:

PhoenixSuite, LLC (the company which makes PhoenixMobile) does not have any affiliation with the sketching company/product to which Randall referred.

 

[Joyce Potts]

Old eyes -- cause I can't score as high on Angry Birds on the iPhone as I can the iPad.

 

[Joyce Potts]

Oh, and anyone that wants to play Words With Friends or a great variation of Scrabble, my 'handle' is PottZ.

Lets do it!

 

[Digger88]

i am all about techno-wizardry but i dont get the time saving factor of doing a sketch in the field when a typical sketch takes only minutes. what am i missing?

 

[Randall Garrett]

D88,

I think the primay thought is to get your area calcs immediately, checking for "square" being a side benefit. Secondarily to some is the desire to complete more in the field fueling the notion of doing a complete report, ready for delivery before returning to the office. This level of efficiency is IMHO by observation largely not routinely achieved here in the US for various reasons, but it is the rule vs. Exception almost everywhere else in the civilized world. YMMV on the value returned for the resources invested, but the buying public has not seemed to let something like that get in the way when chasing down attempts to increase efficiency ( = profits?). The "trick", of course, ist to get the right balance of cost/effort to return ratio. I observe that appraisers are sometimes frugal in some areas but are also sometimes prone to indulge if, for example, they can play their MP3's on something they write off as a 100% business expense. This is not a slam, just an observation...

So, the notion of doing something valuable to the user in the field is common, and sketching is just one form of on-site data collection. Doing more in the field is naturally desirable to appraiser types, sketching being just one item, but in some respects it is no different than wanting (and justifying the expenses) for getting phone calls in the field, getting emails in the field, doing research in the field, getting directions in the move, etc.

It is all a matter of personal perspective on the ROI. Of course, YMMV but I hope this gives you some additional insight on this issue. I could give a flip about my music or video collection on a field device, but that does not keep it from being something important (enough) to most others. As an ex-appraiser, I am naturally very opinionated, so I find people to be obsessed with items which make their devices less than optimal for MY view of how things should be. I think my several "rants" on screens designed for video vs. decent outdoor view-ability are infamous in that regard ;-). I only offer my personal slant on things based on my field, software/hardware development and consulting experience with inspection type individuals in several market segments around the world in hopes that readers here will take away the parts that are valuable to THEM. I rarely make absolute or specific recommendations, the most notable exception being to wait a month or so before buying their next device so they can "compare comps."

Hope this helps!


-Randall Garrett-
*Apex Software*

/end/

 

[Digger88]

rg im all about saving time and posted a month or so ago the number of items my android phone has replaced and i embrace any time saving alternative i can get my hands on. but sketching in the field versus a good 'ole mouse and a 90 second townhouse sketch doesnt make sense to me.

 

[GCJim]

With the release of new 'tablet' products almost weekly now, from various manufacturers with various operating systems, methinks I will wait a little while longer (no longer being a 'bleeding edge' technofile that I was no so long ago----a very expensive habit.).
Fun technological times we live in.
The problem is, the cunning, low-life AMCs will soon be asking for a completed report within 30 minutes of inspection, from the subject property. (Now THAT will be a high quality report, I betcha).