Work Patterns...One Person...No Clerical Help

[Paul Ness MAI]

Kathy, I think the saying is "all mothers are working mothers". All mothers are not single mothers.

 

[Richard Carlsen]

My mistake Kathy.

However, having just had my daughter and her two children (2 1/4 and 4) here for a 4 day visit last week, parents in general have both my admiration and my sympathies. I'm not sure how my first wife and I managed to raise two fine kids into good responsible adults but somehow we did.

You are still to be congratulated. I won't take that back!

Kind Regards


Richard

 

[BigBlueGA]

I drag myself out of bed around 11:00 or so. Flip on the TV and pour a bowl of Cocoa Sugar Blasts... When I start feeling the sugar kick in, I take a shower and head to the office. Usually there are plenty of messages waiting for me, so I put all my messages in a hat, draw two or three at random and just throw the rest away.. they'll call back if it's important, right?

I return the two or three calls I drew out of the hat and if they are underwriters, sometimes I'll pretend like I'm getting bad reception:

THEM: You need to call this poor condition if its anything like the pictures make it out to be...

ME: Floor conditioner? What in the world would I need that for? PSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH Sorry I'm breaking up...

After a couple of hours of picking on the underwriters, I usually get bored and do some inspections. I always show up about an hour after I tell the borrowers I will.. it keeps them on their toes and keeps them from thinking about the value thing... The great ones are on lockbox though. Most of the time nobody is home and I can sit down and enjoy the amenities.. big screen TV, fridge full of beer and pizza... mmmmm....

Since it's a military town, I usually have to be out of there by about 3:30 to keep from getting caught using the whirlpool tub.. I try to make it by the courthouse before 5:00 and spend a few minutes pretending to act confused at the computers so that one of the ladies that work there will just pull my legal for me.

Once I get that I head back to the office and take a nap for a little bit.. When I wake up again I consider typing up a report but decide instead to roll around in all the cash I pull in as an appraiser. After a few minutes of this, usually I choke on a $50 or something and decide to put out a couple appraisals before I go home in 15 or 20 minutes. I open the files up and check to see what the needed value is, stick that number in the report, and check to see what the comparables in the nicer neighborhood down the street sold for. I generally try and keep my gross and net adjustments below 70 or 80 percent, but what the hell, today I'm feelin froggy so I'll just grab some comps and stick them in real quick. No big.

After I put out a couple I'll head home and go to sleep and prepare for another hard workin' day...

DISCLAIMER: HEAVY SARCASM. Sorry, I was bored...

 

[Charlotte Dixon]

Brandon said: Usually there are plenty of messages waiting for me, so I put all my messages in a hat, draw two or three at random and just throw the rest away.. they'll call back if it's important, right? :lol:
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Brandon, I loved your post! You made my day!
:? But, I have a question for you. Do you work in the Town Hall in Smyrna, Delaware? I left a message there 8:50 a.m. on Tuesday and had to go all the way to the Mayor's office today to get a call back about zoning. They've been to busy to return my 4 phone calls within the last 30 hours :!: You don't think they have a hat too, do you :?: Hmmm......

 

[wyecoyote]

Brandon,

ROFL :lol: :lol:

Ok that one really made my day. Possibly my week or month.

Ryan

 

[Mike Garrett RAA]

Wow, how do youse guys keep it organized?


1. Must have a written order OR 1805 in the case of VA/FHA.

2. Entered on log, computer generated on Word Perfect. This log is our main control document. We have used this form for more than 8 years and works very well. It contains a control number, client information, contact information, appointment date and time, value conclusion, date sent, appraisers name, fee, fee split, accum total for the month and a space for any additional information. (will provide a blank copy to anyone who wants one)

3. Set up file. We use colored folders to identify the different types of appraisals. Green for government, red for rush, etc. We also created a form on WP for a cover page with all necessary information on the appraisal assignment AND space for a location map...that way you dont have to open the file to see where you are going.

Inside the folder on the left side is the Public Record from the Assessor's Office, one the right side is the MLS listing info (if any). At the same time we create the Assessor's page...we order the property card from the Assessor's office. When we pull the MLS listing...we do the a comparable market analysis for our area basic data. From that analysis, we select the comps to be used in the report and print them out. These are checked against the public record as a 2nd source.

Once the file is complete, an appointment is scheduled (usually 2 or 3 days out). Appointments are set between 10AM and 3PM for the best light for pictures. Appointments are grouped by location, ie, go North on Monday, East on Tuesday, South on Wednesday, and West on Thursday. Ideally, no more than 3 inspections per day.

Fridays are catch up days or as is the case during fishing season...get away day.

4. Once the inspection is completed, the report is worked up on Wintotal 2000 Athena. If possible, it is sent electronically to avoid printing costs, postage, and time delay. An invoice is created on Quick Books Pro. I keep both an electronic file copy AND a hard copy. Files are archived after a year and kept for the statutory 5 years.

5. I am spoiled since I had office help for the past 10 years. Doing it all myself is time consuming and quite honestly...counter productive. My time is worth $50 an hour and I can hire help for less than $10 an hour. Actually, I have an apprentice who is willing to assist me to gain experience and build hours for licensing at no charge to me. This has been working out quite well but I will be paying her something soon.

Some things that would really help.

Learn how to use the log and accounting features of Athena. End duplication of efforts.

Do more EDI....if they can't handle it, find another appraiser. Only take individual orders COD. Quote really high fees for those jobs I really don't want.

Learn Pocket Total to end duplicate entry of data. Sending assistant to Alamode seminar this weekend since I will be in USPAP school.

Stop taking difficult assignments. Limit work to VA or cookie cutters. Who needs the brain damage. Use answering machine more, stop answering the phone when doing input.

Wow, didn't expect to write an essay but guess I did.

 

[Charlotte Dixon]

Green for government, red for rush, etc.

We have ONE (1) GREEN FOLDER in our office. It has a large dollar sign on the front and it's for outstanding invoices! We keep it simple :!: