SFREP (Appraise-It Pro) vs Clickforms

[Fargo1]

I would have posted this in the SFREP section, but oddly enough SFREP is the only software vendor that doesn't get its own subsection in appraisers forum. Why is that?

Anyway, is anyone using the new Appraise-It Pro? I've been giving it a good look and I really like it. There are a couple of features missing that I get with Corelogic, but the software really feels like better software. I'd like to get away from CoreLogic and I am really torn between Clickforms and Appraise It Pro. Has anyone used both? What might be pros and cons to each? They seem to offer very similar design characteristis with how they handle databases for comps, clients and lenders. For a basic package both are priced around $550-$590. I'll post a few pros can cons that I found found below. If anyone can add anything please let me know. I'm trying to decide which direction to go.

Appraise-It Pro
Pros -
* Appraise-It is clearly newer software with a more modern interface and customization.
* Appraise-It runs smoother inside my virtual machine. This might be a benefit of being the industries first 64bit software.
* Appraise-It is more legigle and has a sharper/clearer interface on 4K monitors. Again it may be a by product of 64bit program.
* Appraise-It allows the ability to run custom scripts from directly within the software. I have no idea what usefulness this provides. But it looks like it might be handy.


Cons-
* No UAD popup. Just an optional side panel for those who want UAD assistance. (Might be a pro)
* Does not automatically search database for sales in comps grid. User must click into database to search sales grid.
* No flood maps, but I believe page 1 info will be included.

Clickforms
* Clickforms has the best UAD pop-ups in the business. Very easy to work through.
* Database can be searched directly from the comp grid for prior use of sale
* Comes with flood maps

Is there anything else I might be taking for granted in Total that I should double check on? Any other pros or cons to each software?

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

flip a coin.

 

[spittman]

I would have posted this in the SFREP section, but oddly enough SFREP is the only software vendor that doesn't get its own subsection in appraisers forum. Why is that?

I too thought it was very odd not finding a subforum for SFREP. NCV had(has) one, but not SFREP??? I just chalked it up that SFREP rarely has problems so no sub was needed. Anyways ...

I just recently got Appraise-It myself as a backup, but I haven't really used it yet. I have used it before in the past, which is why I signed up for it. Just have not forced myself to start using it yet since my old license-free software seems to be still be working for my clients. Clickforms was one of the providers I narrowed my choices down to but it did not look like a sketch program was included. Tried to contact sales and ask questions, but got no response so I went ahead with Appraise-it. Besides, after the Bradford-NCV lawsuit drama, they kind of left a bad taste in my mouth. Aside from that I had heard good things about them, but not responding to my questions just kind of put me off. Although not including a sketch program is a deal breaker for me, your Clickform Pros don't really seem like pros at all - (1) you can easily get flood maps from the FEMA website. The info and map are even integrated with my county database which makes it even easier; (2) I don't think I have ever used the same comparable sale. In all my years appraising, I might have maybe once or twice. Maybe your service area is different so that would be a benefit for you; (3) Do you really need a UAD pop up? I probably shouldn't comment on this because I know it's kind of weird having been used to it myself. What you can do though is download a free UAD reader and check your report before sending it off. This has come in handy for me once when I had an error that the built in UAD pop up didn't even catch.

Overall, I think SFREP is better because it doesn't appear that Clickforms has a sketch program (I could be wrong). Total does, but it cost $100 more for the program.
Hey wasn't it you that recommended Appraise-it in the first place on a different thread?

 

[Fargo1]

Thanks for the thoughtful reply. I might have recommended Appraise-It in another thread based on my trial. I do really like it. I just haven't decided which will work best for me yet.

As you pointed out, Bradford does have some real knocks against it. The NCV lawsuit thing is one of them. I was an NCV user and choose Total over Clickforms at that time due to some of the actions of Mr Bradford. So that concern does still linger.

Clickforms does not have a sketcher. But something like RapidSketch is a one time purchase for $200. Or I can use my Total sketch.

Its true that flood maps are available online. Its just a time saver to be able to have it all done with one click. I wonder if you could use that 'Run Script' feature in Appraise-It to download flood map info.

I don't use the same comps often, but I do on occation. That is why its nice how Total and Clickforms will search your database from the grid. Otherwise, its a hassle to search for comps that aren't there.

The UAD popup thing is really hard to decide. Appraise-It does have a UAD "Format" assistant that you can use for assisstance. It also has a 'Validator' to run a final check on everything before you sign it. It just doesn't have automatic UAD popups like I am used to. It does automatically check the UAD fields to ensure they are propely formated for UAD compliance. If they are not formatted correctly, the field turns red so you can fix it. So it does address UAD formatting in its own way. I sometimes think that once you get used to going through the form without the popups, Appraise-It might be more efficient and faster than Clickforms with the popups. So this could be a Pro and not a Con. But when your used to popups, its a new way to do things. So its really hard to know what will work better until you use the software for some time.

Thanks for your input. I'll have to think about some of those things again.

 

[Renee Healion]

If you look, you'll see the SW companies are listed as "Forum Sponsor" for their respective subforums.
$

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

I was an NCV user

NCV had a sketcher in it - very Winsketch like program. Do you suppose it might integrate into Clickforms? I still use a Winsketch program I bought standalone back 20 years ago or so.

 

[Fargo1]

I think Clickforms advertises they integrate with Winsketch, but I'd have to look to verify that.

 

[spittman]

If you look, you'll see the SW companies are listed as "Forum Sponsor" for their respective subforums.
$

So Alamode sponsored NCV?

NCV had a sketcher in it - very Winsketch like program. Do you suppose it might integrate into Clickforms? I still use a Winsketch program I bought standalone back 20 years ago or so.

I would think you could save a winsketch in pdf or jpg and paste or upload it on an addendum in Clickforms. The only thing I didn't like about NCV sketch is that it didn't show simple math calculations. Always had some type of coordinate system.

 

[JTip]

15ish year user of clickforms and 5 years on rapid sketch (prior winsketch user). Pulls sketch into report along with GLA. UAD is flawless. Comp data populates perfectly. Auto adjustments (with your numbers) does the math.

You know what to do now.

 

[Fargo1]

15ish year user of clickforms and 5 years on rapid sketch (prior winsketch user). Pulls sketch into report along with GLA. UAD is flawless. Comp data populates perfectly. Auto adjustments (with your numbers) does the math.

You know what to do now.

Hard to argue with that.