#71 I use a Dewalt flashlight, it uses the same batteries as my Drill, is incredibly bright, recharges in about 1/2 hour, ad last a really long time on each charge. It is far brighter than others I have tried.

#72

the 2 applications I use most for bpo work are:

1. GIMP (Graphic Image manipulation Program) http://www.gimp.org this is essentially a FREE professional grade photo editing application on par with Photo Shop. I use it for resizing (Image/scale) all of my photos.

2. ACD CANVAS it is expensive BUT... this is the only application that I have been able to find that will allow you to do photo editing, scalable vector graphics, edit PDFs, and precision drawing all in the same app. One of its more useful tricks is to get a parcel size when none is available from a plat map or public record (estimate). I place the Parcel Map PDF in a Canvas template redraw the scale box and measure it with the default ruler, change the default ruler to the scale ruler then trace the parcel, when I "select the parcel" (object) and choose (select) "object properties" it gives me the square footage of the parcel (this is an estimate of course but it is better than nothing) and unless you have it surveyed sometimes it is the only one you can get.

#73

Make a spreadsheet in Excel with sums that will easily update for ever new year. I use this reference to quickly determine the age of the home.

Yr. Age
1971 -36
1970 -37
1969 -38
1968 -39
1967 -40
1966 -41
1965 -42
1964 -43
1963 -44
1962 -45
1961 -46
1960 -47

#74 When you get home from a day of 10 property inspections, upload the photos immediately. Nothing worse than your daughter holding the camera and asking,"Daddy, what does FORMAT mean".

#75 My MLS only lists DOM, not date listed... Some bpo's want dom and others want the date listed. To convert DOM to an actual date I use a free program Easy Date Converter.

http://www.hermetic.ch/solo/edc.htm

just put in what todays date is, put in the dom and it will give you the listed date.

Uh-oh old south. I would be careful - days on market are not literal....There can be breaks in the history. Like I just saw one active with 94 days on market, but it was listed in 10/2006. Several periods temporarily off the market and pending.

Is there no history report on your MLS?

Yes... but on our goofy MLS it only lists Days On Market... no dates. I was just offering the program I use to convert days on market to an actual date...

#76
1. For my palm, a little freebee that calculates the number days between two dates (listing date --> today = DOM) Very handy . . . don't have link but it is called: "Time Apart"
2. Checklist, I use one always . . . when I don't I am sorry.
3. Organize directory tree BPO's --> Company --> Address then you can keep all documents, PDF's images related to the BPO there including the completed BPO for future reference.
4. Use QuickBooks and create an invoice at the time the order is received. No more surprise checks (if you are lucky) 5 months later
5. On check list, spell out photo requirements.
6. On check list, track mileage.

#77
Again with the keeping up with passwords and log ins....
I put everyting in my palm(cell/phone). I Enter each companies name in my phonebook, all contact info and, my phone lets me edit the lables so, I enter my usernames and passwords there too. I always have my phone with me if I work at home or any of the office computers, so I have all the log in info and pertinant info I need right there. Oh yes, and I can and do password protect my phone......Guess I will just have to remember that one though

#78 Always take a picture of the Address if you can...

Even if it is not asked for, often the bank has an old appraisal that they will compare your BPO to. You will need proof if asked that you were at the right spot.

Adam Kitt
BPO Expert
Baldwin Real Estate Svcs.
SoCal

#78 Great address verification site...

http://www.melissadata.com

Go to "Free Lookups" and select US Addresses. This site is amazingly great for many searches. 99% of the time I can get the address verified along with a map, county info, city info, demographic info and much much more.

You can also get a list of all of the zip codes in your county and copy/paste it into excel for easy access for the BPO Co's.

Adam Kitt
BPO Expert
Baldwin Real Estate Svcs.
SoCal

#79

I have got so much help from you all, and always wanted to contribute. so I found this website to calculate DOM
http://www.calendarhome.com/date.shtml
cheers
Amir and Nadia

#80 Have you ever deleted files on your memory card accidentally?

Sure, me neither but IF you should:

http://www.download.com/SoftPerfect-File-Recovery/3000-2248_4-10578156.html?tag=lst-2

THis little utility can recover deleted files from sd cards



#81 Nice over head photos of neighborhoods

maps.live.com be sure to try birdseye view

#81 - After you have signed up with a company, if you don't get a username & password emailed to you within a few days CALL THEM! I have found out the hard way that I haven't gotten anything from companies because they will have some little glitch in their system that isn't allowing me to get orders.

One place had me so I could receive a maximum of 0 orders. The gal bumped it up to 8 & I started getting them left & right. Called them back a couple of weeks later and got it bumped up again to 20.

Another place I had registered with back in 6/05 & I didn't realize it was the same company so I reapplied in 1/08. Turns out the 1/08 application was declined because I already had an account on file. I wouldn't have known that if I hadn't called, turns out they needed some paperwork from me that I never received back in 05. I sent it over to them that day & was up & running getting orders immediately!

Take the time to follow up with companies!!!

When I take pictures of the properties, I always get a pic of the street sign to help sort them (amazing how taking pics of 8 houses in one day seems to make them all look the same). Also, after taking my pics of each subject, I press the cam down on my leg to create a "black" picture. When I get to my computer, I select "thumbnail view" in the folder and the black pictures make a nice divider between each home.