Largest AMC's

[Jeff Deuitch]

I am going back through my AMC's folder on my computer and getting contact info for all the AMCs'. Of many that I have tried to contact via their web sites, I am running into a fair amount of dead ends. (out of business?)

I was wondering who the largest AMC's out there are. Instead of contacting 200 in alphabetical order I would like to have a short list of those worth contacting. Of those, who are worth doing business with? I do work with a couple that are actually decent.

I have practically given up on 1004 business. I am averaging about 3 visits to the neighborhood/property because of "we need 2 other sales comps regardless of age" or "need additional pics of the property" etc. This is rediculous.

Any recommendations on the types of appraisal products worth persuing at the pricing levels that are obtainable with AMC's? Are there products which, at AMC rates, are still profitable to do? i.e. 2070, 2075, reviews?

Many thanks.

Jeff in SW Florida

 

[panappr]

Wowwww those are the exact same things, that have been in the back of my mind for the last year.....

 

[CANative]

I've stopped thinking about it altogether.

 

[Jeff Deuitch]

I've stopped thinking about it altogether.

It is tempting to give up on these folks altogether but, as mentioned, there are a few who I work for that are worth the effort like the proverbial needle in the haystack!

I have to believe that if I uncover every needle, Then I can still make a worthwhile living. It requires strategy however,

Regards.

Jeff

 

[Mr Rex]

From the dark crevices and crevasses of their double secret enclave:

http://www.tavma.org/Members.html

 

[SutnNC]

I really wish I printed out that list in or around 12/08. If I recall correctly, that list was under 20 members total (maybe pushing 15 or so).

Reads like a "who's who" within the Macrobdella decora family.

***********

If your going after AMC work your best bet (if there was one ) is just to hit as many as possible. The more you have the more that may call which increases your odds of getting a few quotes accepted from a mountain of offers. "G" knows your not going to be offered something reasonable. It's slow right now over here and I think for many. It'll pick up soon (at least it's supposed to damnit!) GL

 

[bryanknowlton]

I wrote an AMC directory, the top 40 companies send over 95% of my AMC work. But it still comes down to a numbers game. I have signed up to over 300 appraisal management companies, many did not have work in my area. Some of the companies didn't have work 6 or so months while others stopped getting orders in my area.

It is constantly changing, so in addition to signing up to appraisal management companies, you should also check your status with them annually as well as after license or E&O expiration.

It is a lot of work, but if you stay on top of things, you can get a lot of work. I tend to keep my private list small, those top 40 are all I need and can effectively manage, keep updated, and request work from time to time when my week is slow.

Bryan

 

[DMZwerg]

It is a lot of work, but if you stay on top of things, you can get a lot of work. I tend to keep my private list small, those top 40 are all I need and can effectively manage, keep updated, and request work from time to time when my week is slow.

Top 40???

That is an awful lot of AMCs!


Heck, I fired most of the ones I used to do any work for. So far this year I have done exactly ONE appraisal for an AMC and that was a quote fee (well above "cookie cutter" fee), the rest have been from local banks and individuals. The one appraiser I know personally that does largely AMC work worked for maybe 5 or so tops at his peak.

At 40 either they are each sending you less than one order per week or ...

(some appraisers have set themselves up as middlemen to the middlemen)

 

[Cascada]

Largest AMC.....tough one. Maybe Landsafe if you can get in, LSI, Mercury network, I do not know. I just work with a couple of AMC. I am picky... I do not work with people that pay me pennies.

 

[Mile High Trout]

OP, you may consider reversing your strategy.

The largest ones are the biggest discount pushers.

You need to identify AMC's that bill for their services separately, or you will be called upon to pay the AMC a bonus for assigning you work in the form of discounting your services. Speak with Solidifi, to get a better bearing as to how Quality, respectful AMC's operate. Mercury, Cascada, is not an AMC, it is an assignment platform, much different.

It's all about location, because in some areas of staunch competition, the lowest fee ALWAYS get's the order.

Buying AMC lists is worthless. All you need to do is go to google to find several hundred of them. States which license them also have active member listings you can research the name to find contact info.

Why bother? There is no needle in the proverbial haystack because of the fact that AMC distribution is rooted in commission based principals. It's pay to play for volume, or digging for rare C&R orders when they're in a pinch.

Typically, there is not much middle ground and you'd be better off seeking non-AMC clients from the start. It's all about your location, and the trends of supply/demand.