Mobile appraiser scenerio

[xmrdfghap]

...using someone else's connection while.......at a Starbucks.......whatever. It seems to me that this is stealing.

Actually, most Starbucks and other such establishments EXPECT you to use their connections. That is why they set it up....it draws customers, and at $5.00 for $.03 worth of coffee, it is a good draw.

I actally do use rogers method. I still like hand written notes as I alk through the house.....stll use my 1/4 inch grid paper. But, as I leave, I pull into a nearby parking lot (or farm road) enter all pertinent data (including the sketch) onto the form. I go online, using my sprint cell phone if there is not wireless network in range, and get tax an assessors office information. and then go offline. I write most comments there as well. Then I check my MLS comps and other data source comps online. I prefer to review the notes on the subject before I begin looking for the comps....I know, for a long time I would go to the subject with a dozen or more potential comps.....now I can be a bit more specific. All data, comp sheets, etc is printed to a pdf file, and kept in a directory under the file number. I download all pics into the same directory. I then go looking at comps and pic taking. Once comp checks are done, I complete and signe the appraisal. I then find another wireless connection or use the Sprint cell phone to email the finished pdf report to the client, to Kinkos if the client wants a hard copy, AND to myself. I then burn a CD with the entire contents of the file number directory.

When I get to the house, I download the file to another directory, winzip it, and store it. At the end of the year, I burn ALL zip files to CD. This gives me two CD copies....that should be sufficient backup....one the day that I did the report and filed in numeric order in Jewel cases in a cabinet, and one at the end of the year with a years worth of transactions involved.

 

[Stone]

Settle down or you might soil yourselvs, Nowhere have I said that this is what I do, or would do, nor is my business plan. Your assumptions are inflamatory, I sure hope you "good appraisers" are not making similar assumptions in your appraisals!!

Sorry Frederick, no insult intended. I am still not sure where I stand on this. Using Starbucks or other establishments that are looking for business by providing this service is not the same as using someone's connection without their knowledge. Maybe this is common in California, where there is a higher concentration of people who with wireless networks. I believe most people in my area would consider it to be stealing.

BTW, I participated in the thread on the technical forum where this is discussed. I am not convinced that this is wrong, it just seems that if you are buying technology with the intent to use other peoples connections, there MAY BE something wrong there. It is just something to think about. And before you get all worked up, I seem to remember you having no problem stating that a couple of us were commiting fraud because we discussed FSBO listings with loan officers. So try not to soil yourself, either.

 

[Frederick R. Ruffell]

Sorry Michael,
Was not me that accussed anyone of fraud in relation to FSBO sales, at least that I can remember, please point out the posting. And where did I ever say that I was buying the technology "with the intent to use other peoples connections". The fact is I did not. Again your statements are inflamatory, Why? As far as not soiling myself, I will try harder.

 

[Frederick R. Ruffell]

Just another thought,
If someone elects to boost their wireless network signal beyond their property boundaries and also elect to not take steps to prevent others from receiving said signal, I am not so sure that this would be stealing on the receivers part, it might however be an FCC violation of broadcasting without a Licence on the senders part. Again just a thought, Not planning to take anyone to court or turn them in to the FCC, that is not what I am saying just putting it out there for discussion.

 

[Farm Gal]

:?

and exactly how DO you keep the signal entirely within your boundaries?

I can see disabling it for random use, but its still out there...

Methinks the fcc 'approved' use on the packages makes you technically compliant.. says the daughter of the "He's got every license since licensing began daddy"
(who has ranted all my life abotu random/stray/illegal signals :roll: :wink: )

 

[Frederick R. Ruffell]

Lee Ann,
I do not know how to limit the signal. I do not know how to keep a bullet from going astray once fired either. I do not know how to stop the water from the lawn sprinkler from running down the gutter or to stop the homeless guy from drinking it from the gutter. I don't know if I could get a cop to arrest him for "stealing my water". I just don't know!!!!!

 

[Michael Reilly]

Hey Frederick, why would you want to go through the hassle and expense of wireless to send lots of data only for someone else less experienced to write your reports? It doesn't make sense. You should work yourself into a solution that lets you finish the work in the field and then download it once back to the office. That's how we do it but, that takes team work. We find it well worth it because production sky-rockets with out loss of quality. In fact the quality is enhanced. The best time to write a report is when everything is fresh in your head not after you have completed 4 inspections and looked at as many as 30 - 40 comps only to rely on your note taking and photos. Dont ever forget, Your only as good as your last appraisal.

MReilly-NY
ACE

 

[Stone]

http://appraisersforum.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=5702

Frederick - That is the post. Doesn't matter, though. I was merely trying to point out that you have used some pretty harsh language in describing what you thought were other appraisers actions, while getting very defensive when others are not of the same mind as you here. It is probably just a matter of differing communication styles.

As to this thread:

I DID NOT say that you are planning to purchase equipment and steal network service. In your advice pertaining to the original post, you DID mention that as a way to use a wireless network while in the field. I am not even sure if this is illegal. It might not be. It is not something I have looked into, as I don't have a wireless network at this time. All I have said, is that I think planning to use someone else's connection may be wrong. That is what it seemed like you were recommending as a possible solution when in the field. If I misunderstood that, it is my mistake, but after re-reading your first post on this thread, it seems like that is an option you are presenting. I have no idea if you do it or not, nor do I care. I simply wished to present the thought that perhaps vargasteve (the original poster who was asking for advice) might not want to plan on doing this. I still feel that it is very different from turning around in someone's driveway.

I also noted that perhaps I am geographically challenged in this matter, as wireless networking is far less common here than in California. And I specifically ended my first post with "just something to think about" in order to not sound like I was passing judgement on this issue. I really do not know where I stand, other than I believe in Madison, most people (older than college, anyway) would think that this is wrong. I attempted to choose my words carefully in order not to be inflammatory. I apparently failed.

 

[Farm Gal]

:lol: :lol:

"It's a hard-knock life"

Keep your powder dry, and the wagon wheels greased, and forge on!

The coppers are goin ta get ya if they want to anyway :wink:

 

[Stone]

"It's a hard-knock life"

OK. Point taken. I will try to be less whiny the next time I post. Also, I think I will try to stay out of this issue in future posts, I seem to be in the minority on this one anyway.

Time to go out and see some properties.