I thought I'd share a couple of tips since us "oldies" are referred to as many different expletives & generally branded as unhelpful! Even an old dog can learn new tricks! This may be helpful to all members.. old & new!

This thread can be easily located or referred to via a simple search using the keywords.. Tips ~or~ Tricks

Just use the next number in sequence when posting a tip or trick.. #3, #4... It will be interesting to see how high the number will go!



Enjoy:

#1 Do you have a property that's new & you can't locate the details (sf, #br, #ba, etc) via MLS or tax search?

Call the local building permit department. They will have all the details on file and in my experience, have been really eager to help. I've gotten to know one of the ladies in my local one by first name and she even faxes me a summary detail if I need it.

It's helped me out several times and especially in one case where the BPO company kicked back a BPO as the subject info did not match the appraisal! They certainly believed the summary fax from the building department and approved my BPO immediately.

#2 Going crazy trying to remember all of your login user name/passwords?

Get RoboForm! http://www.roboform.com/ It stores all of them for you! I bought the RoboForm2Go version and it's on a USB key. All you have to do is click on Logins and select the web site. It automatically goes to the web site (as it stores the web site address as a link) and enters your user name & password! I like the portability of the USB version as I can use it at the office and bring it home as well. Nothing gets installed on your PC, just the USB key. This can also help you login faster for some of those orders!



If you have a useful tip to share, post it here. Let's try to keep his thread free of questions, only post tips & thank yous to contributors!

Gulf Winds,

At the risk of sounding low tech -- what is a USB key. I went to that website you listed. Looks like a problem solver! I have all my password stored on my desktop on an Excel sheet. So If I'm working from my laptop it creates a problem.

Oh my thanks for that password thingy..Everytime I get an email from one of the companies (other than the ones that I always do) I have to rush back into my email to get the logon and password (and by that time, it is GONE!!!)
See we aren't all that bad are we.. I haven't heard from a certain someone for what most of the day now...It has been very very quiet.

USB Key aka Thumb Drive (portable storage device)



NOTE:

If anyone has questions for contributors, please send them a private message to keep the content mainly tips, tricks & thanks!

3# Measuring Distances

If you have a company that does not automatically calculate distances for you (PTEK, RRR, etc.) try Microsoft Streets and Trips. From pinpointing the subject property to your comparable use CTRL + E and the distance will be measured for you.

4# Resizing Pictures

After retrieving a large group of photos you can have them batch resized for easy uploading by using a program called Visualizer Photo Resize. The program is free and no I do not have a web address. A Google or Yahoo! search should turn up the program with relative ease.

#5 Declining an order due to being busy, or unfamiliarity with an area, is better than accepting one that you know will not be completed on time, or done shoddily. (Is shoddily even a word?)

#6 Before doing 2nds, ask the listing agent about any issues. They're gonna know way more about a property from the pre-list stage, than us in our 15 or 20 minutes inspection. And they appreciate it!!! You'll get to know the other REO agents in your area so much better.

#6 Fax Program

Best tool I ever invested in… http://www.extremefax.com No more having to run to the office or where ever to pickup fax… They fax right into your computer… They give you a personal fax number (mine is toll free, no extra cost)… When ever I get a fax I can view it, print it, save it as a pdf, or email it… It even sends me a text message to my cell, telling me I have a new fax, shows from what tele number and how many pages… It also send s me an email, so I can pick it up if I cant get to my computer (just check your email from any computer)… No more having to worry about other agents in your office reading your confidential faxes… You cant the price, only $79 per year, includes up to 300 pages per month (additional pages avail for extra cost)…

Regarding tip #2: Roboform - I also use and recommend it…

#7 getting rid of the stall air in reo.

vanilla plug in..( i know not a great tip, however it helps make the home appear more welcoming, and i have gotten positive feed back from buyers over the years.) i will try and think of better tips. this could be a fun thread

#8

if you go to do a bpo and its gated, or empty, never leave empty handed. take a picture of what you can.

#9 I agree that MS streets & Trips is really a great program, but there is one county that it can never map for me, and if the address is too new, sometimes it can't get those either. That's when I try Google Maps. It has saved me several times. I can even map that particular county that never works on Streets & Trips, with Google Maps. You can just go to google.com and there's a map link at the top left of the page.

#10 Use autofill! I purchased a Mac not too long ago, and it has an awesome autofill feature. When I first start entering information, I start out by filling out everything that's the same on all comps, such as "type of property". All I have to do is hit the first key and it fills it in for me. Love it!

Just be careful... because it'll also enter numbers that you don't want there. For example: you've previously entered 103 DOM, and now want to enter 10 DOM. It'll add that 3 at the end.

ive been known to tailgate...

or use the MLS to get codes

#9 Make sure you have extra batteries for your camera, just in case.

Caboguy that is actually #11

Extras on Interiors

#12 - Flashlights (this should be a no brainer) and an extra set of batteries

#13 - Screwdrivers and Powerdrills. If you are in an area where city or county governments love to board things, a set of screwdrivers and a power drill can come in handy for that interior that was requested and the listing agent has no idea that the house had been boarded (like that day or the day before).

#14 - Extra clothes and Flea bombs. And yes I do carry all of this with me, most of the time. I could live out of my truck if I needed to. This should be self explanatory, I brought fleas back to my cats once......never again.

#15 *learning the concept of 'copy and paste' is priceless!

i also have a "cheat-sheet" of common "bpo blubs" that i use to describe neighborhood areas, market conditions or my "this is not an inspection report... blablabla" that i copy and paste into the proper sections. it saves lots of time!