How to Light Interior Digital Photos Steve Jarrell The biggest problem in indoor photography is lighting. The built-in flash of the digital cameras simply isn’t powerful enough to provide adequate light to brighten an entire room. Most 35mm cameras overcome this limitation by having a hot shoe where you can attach a much more powerful...…
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“EDI” Open Standard Arrives Anyone remember EDI? It was the often discussed “standard” for transmitting appraisal reports electronically that was always in development and right around the corner (for about six years). Without much fanfare, an open standard for describing property and appraisals, using XML markup language, has recently been ratified by the Mortgage Bankers...…
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Sending PDF Appraisals How to Hit a Home Run Every Time By David Biggers, CEO of a la mode I’m writing this article while at Cooperstown Dream Park, which hosts week-long baseball tournaments for 12-year old kids, just outside of Cooperstown, New York, home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. It’s a unique experience...…
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Why PDF?
Adobe Acrobat is becoming a dominant standard for transmitting appraisals over the Internet because it is a stand-alone product that can be used with any appraisal software package. While many clients might prefer that we use a particular software package, most will accept PDF files as an alternative. Many appraisers also have clients other…
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Appraisal & Identity Security Solution by Stephen Nation, Executive Vice President of NATION Technologies, LLC Before the Internet and email, the appraisal business was largely a relationship-centered business conducted between appraisers and lenders or their agents. Relationships were primarily local and often conducted over a handshake. There was often a high level of confidence in knowing…
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May, 2009 - This article, first published in 2007, seems more important today than ever. In my opinion, artificially low appraisal fees are the number one threat to the appraisal industry today. The HVCC has ushered in additional concerns about fees in our industry. Oddly, most of the blame for low fees lies with appraisers,…
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Editor’s Note: Bill Cobb is a wizard at using blogging, social media and other “new stuff” to increase business. Here, he generously shares his expertise. Using Blogs to Grow Your Business By Bill Cobb This may seem shocking to you but I don’t own an appraiser “website.” I don’t need one. I am not an...…
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Editor’s Note: Social media expert and appraiser Bill Cobb offers tips on using new technology to solve an old problem: increasing business. Five Ways to Grow Business (Online) by William D. Cobb Here are five ways to attract visitors to your self-hosted real estate appraisal blog to grow business! 1. Establish your appraisal Twitter account…
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Mobile Appraising: Saving Both Time and Money By Dustin Harris, “The Appraiser Coach” Appraisers who are truly ‘mobile’ are using laser measurers, tablet PCs or smartphones, and software to upload reports remotely to the office to be more competitive- to save time and money. As I travel the country mentoring various appraisal business owners, I…
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Editor’s Note: “Appraiser Coach” Dustin Harris says cutting the time it takes to appraise does not necessarily mean cutting corners-in fact, he says, there are ways to save time and increase quality.
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