Which one of our appraisal expenses should we cut?

[LA Woman]

One appraisal friend of mine takes her lunch at Costco, by eating all the free samples! they even have dessert! She is the queen of cheap!

 

[Doug in NC]

I just changed my printer settings to print using black cartridge only. Wish I had done this sooner with each color cartridge costing in the range of $70 a piece. I had been getting cartridges refilled locally for around $50 a piece, but refiller gave me back a bad cartridge that has been leaking magenta (ruining print quality and wasting ink). This change could easily save me a few hundred per year.

 

[LordofTexas]

Magic jack ...Bueno..

Go with Greg Bell's advice. Buy the Magic Jack device for $40 the first year (inclues the little USB dongle which any wired phone plugs into), and $20 each year after. You can pick your own area code. Plus, at $20 for the ENTIRE year, that's a pretty cheap fax line running off the computer if you go that route.

Motorcycles will not get you much realtor or borrower respect. We're always judged by our appearance first, then our product. I remember when my Honda was in for repairs in the 90's and I had to take my Jaguar to two appointments in Bel Air and Beverly Hills. At 12 miles per gallon, even back then it was expensive. But, the amazing attention and respect I got from the brokers on those two appointments was 100 fold. It happened a few years later when I swapped the Jag to a friend with a two seater Mercedes because he needed the four seats for friends and I did a large estate sale. All the broker commented on was that I must be pretty good to be driving an SL.

Cost cutting is fine, but appearances unfortunately are first.

Lordy

 

[Metamorphic]

BMW makes motorcycles!

 

[Metamorphic]

Someone taking photos on a motorcycle in some of the neighborhoods I go to will get you shot.Perhaps a bullet proof vest would be required..:new_2gunsfiring_v1:

I'm actually getting around to where I'm purposefully conspicuous taking comp photos. If you're look like you're trying to be sneaky, it seems like you're actually inviting people to think the worst, and 9/10 if the owner sees you taking the photos, you get to ask them about the condition of the house and the details of the transaction, and any amenities you're unclear about, without having to spend a bunch of phone time tracking down a agent. Heck, I've even had a couple people ask me if I want to come in side and see what it looks like.

I think its important to remember that we are engaged in a legitimate activity and most folks will respond positively if approached in an open fashion.

 

[The Sheriff]

Here's my best cost cutting advice... Buy a black and white duplex printer (double sides all your work - cutting paper consumption in half). Recommend the HL-5250DN by Brother.

I utilize a Blackberry through Cingular/AT & T... I pay roughly $140 a month. They just set me up with an unlimited minutes plan for $99 a month. Who needs roll over minutes when you can get unlimited. I was paying $99 for 2100 minutes. The rest of the items taking my bill to $140 include Outlook email access and unlimited internet. Best money I spend monthly.

I've been thinking about the Black Jack... but I don't want to disrupt the continuity of my business as of yet to switch to it. I have two office lines and a dedicated fax line that keeps my bill at about $197 a month. Greg... you need to sell me on this thing!

 

[CCAAMO]

Here's my best cost cutting advice... Buy a black and white duplex printer (double sides all your work - cutting paper consumption in half). Recommend the HL-5250DN by Brother.

That's good advice. I just switch to that printer in the spring for everything I print in Black and White. It has good speed and you can't beat the price!

 

[JENIFFERW]

I already have always been cheap (poor), so I have always had a home office, used my cell phone for everything (can't afford a secretary and don't have time for follow up calls after I get back), have a black and white printer, share data sources, use toner instead of ink jet because it's more economical and faster, but also just switched to standard size paper. I drive a hybrid, have a Fastrack (electronic bridge toll device so I don't have to wait in line to pay cash), and a GPS. This is way more time and gas efficient. I also just moved to an apartment, and I actually love it I was ashamed, then I read Bearslide's post, and for the first time in my life felt proud of myself for being poor, but honest. Here is something I don't think anyone has brought up though. A link to a website that you can get toner for about half the price of Staples-

http://www.ldproducts.com/

Oh, and I just found a case of paper at Costco for about half the price of Staples too!

 

[Blueprint]

I smile at my mentor as he spends (wastes) bookoo style bucks at Staples which could be spent much more efficiently. It's crazy.

 

[Metamorphic]

A link to a website that you can get toner for about half the price of Staples-

http://www.ldproducts.com/

Have you considered using a vendor out of state so you can save some tax?