Which Appraisal Technology Tool Makes Life Easier for You?

The assessment sector is continually evolving due to technological advancements. Learning how to use — and adapt to — new technology can help you become more productive and make more money. Which tools, on the other hand, are worth investing in? "What technological tool makes your life as an appraiser easier?" we asked real estate appraisers. Continue reading to find out which tools your colleagues appraisers like, and possibly find a new appraisal technology tool to use in your own firm.

 

Which assessment technology tool makes it easier for you?

Our study respondents chose the following nine evaluation technology tools as the top one tool that makes their job simpler on a daily basis:

• Laser caliper
• Using a computer (with multiple monitors)
• Access to the internet and online data
• Cellphone / smartphone
• Total for Mobile
• Apps and software for other types of appraisals
• iPad / Tablet
• Mapping technique for digital cameras (GPS, GIS)

 

Laser caliper

"It's my laser measurement!" It's a breeze to measure dwellings."

"The laser measurer!" exclaims the narrator. I'm now using a Bosch laser measurer, but I started with a cheaper one to see how it worked. For internal second-floor measures, laser measurers are quite useful."

"Using a laser measuring tape/device saves so much time!" Not every home is empty...the laser measuring gadget allows you to go through the topic regardless of whether it is empty or congested. There will be no inside measurement you can't achieve after only a few usage! You may measure it if a little section of the wall is visible. It's fantastic! "This is really a game-changer!"

 

Using a computer (with multiple monitors)

"Computer—it can do everything."

"Three displays on a desktop computer!"

"The best investment is a fast computer with a powerful graphics card, a pleasant work environment, and three monitors."

"It's a must to have numerous displays." On one hand, there are forms, MLS information, and public records or supporting data, and on the other, there are public records or supporting data."

"For appraisers with 25 years or more experience, this inquiry is a no-brainer. Many appraisers now have little recollection of the days when valuation reports had to be written on a typewriter. It was usual for reports to have misspellings, but it was also typical for appraisers to be unable to readily alter and extend remarks in order to produce a higher appraisal report result. Appraisal report revisions used to necessitate a complete re-typing of the appraisal report before the advent of computer technologies. Appraisal reports have to be mailed or delivered by carrier as well. Have I mentioned the time and money spent on photo film, film development, and secretarial staff? Because to the COVID epidemic, millions of individuals have been working from home for the past 12 months or more. But, because to the computer, I've been able to work from home for almost 25 years as an appraiser."

 

 

Access to the internet and online data

"The progression of online data from microfiche to monthly cd-roms to instant access to 'nearly' endless info and photographs." The info available on the internet is highly useful and time-saving. Even in retrospective assessments and reviews, having a history of data accessible is quite beneficial. It's one of the most advanced technologies in the appraisal field."

"Remember when you had a shoebox full of MLS cards and had to put in all new listings and sales every day?" It takes a long time."

"Having access to public and private web databases for sales data and recorded papers has really sped up my procedure."

"In the past, going to the courts and then pulling essential PVAs may take hours of our workdays, and commuting to the Board of Realtors to choose and browse among thousands of property listings could take much longer." Now we have access to all of that information!"

 

Cellphone / smartphone

"It's no longer merely a phone for communication." I use it to make calls, but I also use it to take images, conduct research, send emails, perform math (using the HP 12C app), set reminders, keep track of meetings, Siri assists me in finding subjects and sales, and I use an app to check coordinates for customers, among other things. I've heard there are applications that can help with measuring, but for the time being, I'll stick with my trusty old 200′ tape."

"Working on my assessments, I am able to multitask at a much greater level using my Samsung Galaxy Note 10 smartphone." It helps me with all aspects of my appraising job."

"I use my iPhone to keep track of client calls, realtor calls, homeowner/borrower calls, email, and appraisal orders. I can use my phone to check up comparable homes, look up assessor information and other data, take vocal notes, and use my software program to do inspections without paper and upload to the cloud when I'm through. In case I can't find my laser tool, there's also a measurement app on my phone. As an appraiser, I can't live without my smartphone."

 

Appraisal software and applications that are popular

Other specific software tools mentioned by appraisers that participated in our study, in addition to a la mode and their TOTAL solutions, are:

Spark | Spark application
HomeView is an inspection tool for your home.
Valcre\sDataMaster
Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet program.
Microsoft Power BI is a business intelligence tool from Microsoft.

Furthermore, several appraisers specified a generic sort of program but did not specify a specific brand or instrument. The following are some of their responses:

Software for appraisals
Software for completing up forms
CAMA system Demographics tools and proprietary report generation software
"Spark is a fantastic time saver."

"Power BI is a fantastic data visualization tool. Much quicker and with richer graphics, including maps, than Excel."

"For well over a decade, Integra Realty Resources has had its own narrative report producing program. "From the bottom up, we constructed our own industry-leading database."

 

iPad / tablet

"It's so much easier than using a pad and pen to check a house, take photographs, take notes, and create a drawing on the iPad onsite, then download to work on at the office."

"It's much easier to use an iPad to snap photographs and take notes while completing your inspection and comparables, and then have everything loaded into your report once you get home!"

 

Camera (digital)

"Having my camera with me gives me a visual presentation for my reporting, as well as allowing me to utilize it as guide lines for my house sketch."