I am considering purchasing a GPS or some type of navigation system. Any suggestions?

I've been really happy with my Garmin C320 unit.

-Color Touchscreen
-SD memory card for map storage (vs internal memory)
-Voice guidance
-Fast route calculation/recalculation

I' have the Garmin Nuvi 350, and love it!!
color touch screen
SD Memory card\voice guidance with street names
fast route calculation/recalculations,
also works on battery, can take it to most parts of the country,

I have the Garmin StreetPilot 2720 and I love it! As a matter of fact, it's sitting here in my carry-on (I'm sitting in Denver's airport).

(Not only does it help me with BPO's, it also came in quite handy in the Rockies!)

I exchanged the C320, due to the fact that I couldn't read the screen wearing my polorized sunglasses. While the 2720 is larger, I can see it under all circumstances.

My husband has a factory GPS in his SUV and I have to admit, I like my Garmin better. It tells me the street to turn down by name, instead of just telling me to turn in such-a-such a distance.

Navigation is a must specially when you are in the RE business.
I bought Clarion N.I.C.E which is kinda like everything in 1. navigation, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, mp3 player, 10gigs of hard space for you music. can also connect a rearview camera and a dvd player. Touch Screen. got it for $800 off ebay a year ago but now you can prob get it for $600.

I was given a Garmin StreetPilot c330 and I like it.

Garmin IQue 3600 GPS/Palm Pilot combo... they're a little fragile and I think they're discontinued, but I love mine...most days...

Sometimes it makes me mad, but I could no way no how live without it.

I have the StreetPilot 2720. Got it as a Christmas gift last year. The BEST present I've ever received. I use it almost every single day.

The only other GPS system I'd used was an in-dash so I don't have much to compare it to. I love being able to transfer it between vehicles.

The only time it doesn't get me where I need to be is with new construction - but maybe they all have this problem.

I picked up a StreetPilot 2730 last week and this thing is sweet. I went with this one because of it's ability to route multiple stops. So far, no hiccups. The main difference between this and the 2720 others have is XM/NavTraffic capability.

Garmin is far and away the best GPS out there,
I also have a Garmin Nuvi and prior to that I had the Garmin Quest. I also had a Magellan which was awful and took forever to calculate your route. Many times it was inaccurate as well. The Garmin Nuvi is the fastest device I have seen and as soon as you enter the address it already is telling you which direction you need to go.

I agree with real deal. Garmin is hands down the best company for gps. STAY AWAY FROM MAGELLAN. I have owned 3 magellan gps systems and they are all crap. I now own the garmin c330 and it is awesome. It has street by street mapping of the entire united states. No need to upload maps. The best part is you can pick one up from ebay for less than $400.

I honestly think the nuvi series by garmin is a waste of money. Your paying for an mp3 player and a thinner gps system. The c series is thicker, but also cheaper. The nuvi series is nice, but if your not playing mp3's on it then it's a waste of money. I almost bought it, but I saved $200 with the series so I went with that.

What is the need for a gps I only do about 20 bpo's a week but I use mapquest. I have no problems getting around it also does multi stops.. Just wondering if I'm missing something.

Own one and you will see how great they are. No waiting to print, no ink, and it's safer than staring at a piece of paper while driving. Go buy one at circuit city and try it out. If you dont like it, then return it. Just be careful of restocking fees.

Pioneer in dash unit. Great software that has the whole nation loaded in it. Integrated iPod, Blue tooth, the works. Load music too. I am favorable impressed with it but it costs over 2,000.00 installed.

I have a Garmin IQue 3600 - I love it!

My husband bought it when he was lost on vacation. It was only $99.00 on clearance at a Wal-Mart. I was pleasantly surprised when I found out it was selling for $500 elsewhere!

It is fragile, I've had to replace the charger twice, but it works for what I need it for.

Thanks all for responding!!

I think I will go with the Garmin c330.

Even though gas price have come down slightly, who has time to waste or to be embarrassed in front of possible Buyers because you can not locate a property.

I am sure the device will pay for itself in a short period of time.

I agree with BpoBill, it gets hazardous trying to read a paper copy of directions while driving.

If your gonna buy it new, get it from sams club or cosco. They sell refurbished ones on ebay for just under $400 shipped. I've bought two of them. One for myself, and one for my parents. Honestly you cant tell the difference between refurbished and new. Well except the extra money in your checking account.

I have a built in navigation with my vehicle. I will never (as a realtor) purchase a vehicle without it. It has been priceless....PRICELESS!
(Honda Accord, 2005)

Just keep in mind that the 330 will not allow you to plan a route. It's a point A to point B unit.

Once you find the one you want, don't buy it from Circuit City. Check here first (for anything really) www.pricegrabber.com

I saved over 500 bucks on my 2730 by NOT buying it at Circuit City.

I have TomTom GO 700, awesome. Plug in to ligher to any car, road map to any state. You can sink with your phone, will tell you any detour or traffic. I have my home address office, soonest I take the picture I touch home and it tells me distance. My husband bough it from Car toy.

I would agree with Craig about the c330. That is the 1 thing I wish I could do is put in the whole route at once.

You can put the route at once with Garmin Nuvi 350.

One word about GPS's, they're popular...

It was about this time last year... left mine in it's cradle in the window of my car and went to the gym, 7am.

By 8am it had a new owner. Loosing the GPS was the most expensive, but having to get a new window quick for a weekend trip and spending the next several months dealing with broken glass was the most annoying.

Someone mentioned the systems being fragile -

If you live in an area that experiences high temps, don't leave it sitting on your dash (Not to mention that they can get stolen, huh Gary?). They aren't supposed to be exposed to high temps and it can ruin the power cable.

When I was selling new homes, I made that mistake, and I had to order a new cable from Garmin.

Stand alone gps sounds expensive to me.

Since I mostly (9 out of 10 times) travel with my notebook ontop my auto desk in my car, I opted for the delorme mapping software with usb connected gps module. I can route at my desk or in the car, look at a 15.4" screen instead of a tiney one and listen to voice prompts if I am bored. $39.99...

When I am out of the care I use my Sony Clie' palm OS with maps downloaded with my pocket re program. What else can I say but I am a cheap date.

My Garmin C340 (purchased from Costco online) is one of the best purchases I've ever made.

Bumping this up - If you don't have a GPS, tomorrow might be the time to get one! I noticed in most of the major stores' Black Friday ads they have various GPS on sale.. some really good prices too! I dont know what I'd do without mine.

I purchased a Garmin c320 -- cheaper but it does the job. I purchased an additional 1 GIG of memory for the unit -- I might be able to load the entire map of the US!!

Wal-Mart has the C320 advertised for $ 268.86 - online purchase only

I've been considering TomTom. Anyone own one of these?

Sorry, missed the 2nd page...

Garmin is the best!!

Heres an update. I had the garmin c330 but recently bought the nuvi 350. I like the nuvi better because its smaller. I can hide it in my car without worry that somemone will steal it if they break in. Besides size, theres not a whole lot of difference. The nuvi will pronounce street names, and it also has an mp3 player (which is useless for me).

Wal-mart had a specially adverised GARMIN 2730 for $ 335.00--fresh out and expecting another shipment soon (from JAPAN) I believe 2730 routes multiples as does the 2720

I have a Garmin 330 (I think thats the model #) and I love it. Highly recommend it!

I have the Garmin c330 and I love it. My husband bought it for me last year, and I haven't had any problems with it. They are now about half the price that we paid for it a year ago..ugh, but I love not have to smash on my brakes anymore when I am showing a house to find a street. It also works great when I am hitting 10 houses at a time to get my bpo's done. I just put in the addresses, and then I scoot around via zip code. It saves me so much time and ink from not having to print things off of mapquest.

I consider myself a tech-savvy cheapskate. What that means is, I like the gadgets, but I like bargain hunting for it. First I bought a laptop (since that helps with any business). Then I bought the GPS receiver (about $35 on Ebay for a USB adapter). Then I bought the software Microsoft Streets & Trips for about $20 also on Ebay (retails for less than $40). Then I bought what really made my collection special a FM Transmitter, that tranmitted the words from my laptop to my car radio (which of course is custom and I spent an extra few thousand on...I love the bass) the FM transmitter cost me a whopping $5 with shipping from China. These were might have been the best $5 I ever spent, when it says turn right, it says it very loud and I don't miss my turn. I even bought a universal laptop charger for about $15. If you shop around you can get great prices. I love Ebay and of course buy from suppliers worldwide, I noticed China has great deals on electronics. If you already have a laptop it will be under $100 to have a great GPS system setup in your car. So decide how you're best spending money, the little stick on the window GPSs are cool, but they cost more if you already own a laptop. If you do own a laptop also look up buying laptop harnesses since those can be bought cheaper than you think also.

Deu12000, you ARE a cheapskate. If someone is looking for a GPS, they most certainly do not mean that they want an laptop in their car with a GPS receiver and streets and trips program running on the computer as well as an FM tuner and a stand for the laptop and a thousand dollar car stereo and so on.


THEY WANT A GPS SYSTEM. A nice GPS system that is compact and gets you from point A to point B and many times 20 points in between, without having to drag around 20 other pieces of equipment. On that note, I highly recommend the Garmin Nuvi. I have owned the Garmin Quest, Magellan and Tom Tom and I swear by Garmin. The Quest, which is an older Garmin, is better than most of the systems out there right now, but the Nuvi is far superior and very compact. The fastest calculations I have ever seen and very accurate.

:)
Look at it this way Real REO Deal, the laptop is good to have and helps you with a million other things. Why would I want a standard GPS when I can't surf the internet, type up documents, and a million other things it doesn't do that a laptop does? Look at it from that angle. If anything why would I want a GPS, it's expensive and doesn't multi-task. I have the laptop, the FM transmitter to the audio port/sound card and the cigarette plug/jack, and the GPS receiver connected to the USB port (the charger I rarely use and I don't own a harness). Three small things. If I wanted to spend an extra few dollars I would have gotten the bluetooth version of everything and keep the accessories hidden. Also I have an option many GPS users don't have...if I'm unhappy with my GPS software I can use a different one. I can even have multiple kinds of GPS software installed, as opposed to being stuck with one brand.

We work on totally different levels. What you suggest would make my life hell. I guess that is how things work sometimes. My daily activities would not allow for me to be so "bulky" when traveling short and long distances. I need to be more "agile" I suppose. But then again, what do I know? I do 80-120 BPO orders per week and currently have 73 REO properties assigned.

Not to get off subject or anything!


NOT BY YOURSELF....I dont care if you were superman!!! To do that kind of volume you need AWESOME support staff!!!

2 of us agents, and 1 assistant. We do the BPO's and our assistant does the billing, phones, and scheduling.

I bought the Pharos Ostia GPS software for my Pocket PC. It has been very helpful to me but I have to believe that a regular GPS system would be better - which is why I'm buying myself one for Christmas. The Pharos Ostia system is OK but I often lose my signal between my Pocket PC and the GPS locator. It can be aggravating! Anyway, I'm glad we have this thread because I will definitely be buying a Garmin because of all your comments. I thought about using my laptop like deu12000 but I've decided against it. My car gets so cluttered when I'm taking pictures anyway. I can't imagine having my laptop sitting on the seat. I'd rather of a little GPS on my dash.

Good for you, Real REO Deal - the best thing I did was get a part timer to type in the comps for me. I'm able to do more volume and make a lot more money. I've only had my typist for a couple months and I've really been able to see a big difference. I was making good money before but now I make more money and have a little free time too.

My partner and I do all the BPO's we don't allow an unlicensed person to do any Real Estate activity, that includes entering BPO info.

I pull my comps, send them to him. He types the info, address, distances, sf, # bedrooms/baths, etc. After he's done, I put in condition of each comp, write my comments on the subject and each comp and give it a value. He doesn't do anything that requires giving an opinion, judgement or value.

IMO, unlicensed assistants should not be doing any BPO evaluation work including, entering data, selecting comps, taking photos, etc.

My "typist" isn't taking pics, selecting comps, adding comments or making any judgement call on condition. I really think it's crazy to think that having someone type data such as address, sq. footage and bed/bath count, etc. that is provided for them is wrong. You don't need to have a real estate license to type!

Do all of these route multiple stops?
C 320,330,340, 2720,2730?

I only have experience with the Quest and the Nuvi, and both do multiple stops. I believe I heard somewhere that one of the models does not, but I don't recall which Garmin that was.

I see that many people seem to like the C 330, and it's very affordable ( 328.00) I know the 2720 does multiples, ( 594.00) on the other hand it wouldn't be too bad having to input each address as you travel along? I want to get one, after 30 years in Atlanta, I find it more difficult getting around each day, so many new streets etc..., the map makers can barely keep up, I believe it will be $$ well spent.

I purchased my Nuvi on Ebay for $535 and that was 4 months ago. It may be even less now that the newer, wide screen version is on the market.

which version?

I have the Garmin Nuvi 350, the newer one is also a Nuvi but 660 is the model number.

The only problem with a typist inputing data would be that if they made a mistake it could reflect on the ultimate decision of the bank or lender requesting the work. What if the typist put $245,000 value on a house rather than $345,000 or put a projected market time of 240 days rather than 140?

Gig em - I see what you are saying but I don't think you understand what I'm doing. I pull comps, send them to the typist. He inputs the subject and comp info and e-mails me when he's done. I then go in, write in my comments, values and market time, upload pics and then press submit and do all the quality control parameters that some of the companies have. He never submits the order. He never even knows the value I place on the subject. For instance, I do a lot for RRR. I go back in, put in condition and comments on subject and comps and you know the last page? He doesn't input anything on that page. I do that whole thing. It's really a very basic job he has - very simplistic but it saves me about 15 minutes per order. I still end up spending 5-10 minutes on each form (not including taking pics, pulling comps and uploading photos).

I believe I have an excellent system in place that doesn't put myself in the position of doing anything wrong and I think the way I do it, provides good quality controls on my end to avoid mistakes.

I have a similar araingement as Makin. Although I personally spend alot more time than 5-10 minutes per report.
My Mother who is also licensed in MN and WI inputs subject/comp info that I have pulled, she adds no remarks regarding dom, n'hood, mkt,comps, etc, etc, etc, the reason being is its my name on the report and she is not active in the market enough to do a "reliable" BPO. I also have a college student (RE/MKT maj) that does similar work, the best thing he does for me is gos with on interiors in the war zone and I also bring my other 2 associates "Smith" & "Wesson"

The Garmin 330 does not let you do multiple stops.

Thanks oh agent, what about the NUVI 350?

Nuvi does

I have the Streetpilot 2720 and while it does multiple stops, I prefer to enter them in and click on each one individually.

I always look at my keymap before I leave and I feel like I can set up my route better than Garmin can.

I just want to cry when I see the price some of you are quoting for it now! I paid over $1k for mine and that was only a year ago.

So that tells me that the C330 will do just fine, entering each stop as you go, off I go to Walmart today, advertised for $ 328! can't wait.
thanks for your input!

The nuvi will allow you to enter in multiple stops, however heres the drawback. Lets say you have 4 places to go, but your not exactly sure which is the fastest route between all four. If you enter all four in at once, it will take you to each address in the order you entered them in. It cannot determine the fastest route between multiple addresses.

However this gps will http://www.garmin.com/products/zumo It's made for a motorcycle, but it will work fine for a car. This is what garmin told me. I have the nuvi 350 and I love it. Most of the time if i have multiple stops, I know which ones to enter in first so it's not a problem.

Don't cry Houston... I only paid $450 for mine a couple years back (it was a cheap solution) got it stolen and replaced it for $300 or so... so I'm almost in as much as you are.

The point is, even at that price it has more than paid for itself. I couldn't imagine hitting 10 or more props in a day for pics without it, could you???

I let mine plan my route for me, it's pretty good. It does have some quirks though... it's set for fastest route...or so it says... It has a preffered route to my office and I have another. Since I buy the gas and the GPS we go my way...the funny thing is, every time we make the turn to go my way it (accurately) drops the ETA 4 minutes. That is, it knows my way is faster but insists on being stubborn.

That's why I gave it a woman's name... Ethel...goes with the voice, the stubbornness and all the gas she saves me.

Amazon has the C340 for $421.00. That's well below the Best Buy (or Circuit city sale price, I forget which) of $499.00.

Am I right in thinking that the C330 does not pronounce the street names?

The 330 doesn't say street names. It simply tells you how long before you want to turn or whatever.

I purchased a c320 for less than $300.00 I purchased a gig of additional memory for less than $15.00. It's small and has flash memory so I don't worry about dropping it. With the extra memory I sure I can load maps of the entire US! It picks up the satellites really fast and recalculates routes if I stop or have to detour. Best investment I have every made.

Seems we have 2 threads going here so this is in reply to the debate about whether we should be entering our own data.

Years ago, I typed out very long,involved forms for an appraiser. Before computer forms, I'm sure there weren't many appraisers typing out their own forms - it was just too time consuming.

CEO's of companies have their secretaries type their letters and then, hopefully, PROOFREAD them. So what's the difference having someone entering JUST data onto a BPO? Thats what secretaries do!

Personally, I don't think it would be a big time saver for me. By the time I gave the typist the data, I could have entered it myself. But if Makin Money has found a way to cut off a few minutes in filling out the form, then she proofreads it, & enters values, it's being rather nitpicky to imply she's cheating.

I simply said that I do not allow an unlicensed person to do anything Real Estate related. I understand the argument set forth by Makin Money, but do not agree. I choose to do business the way I do and have never had any problems. On the other hand, if you allow someone to type your info into a BPO form, that in my opinion, constitutes doing a Real Estate activity. I would rather do all that work myself, then have to go over someone else's work and input a bunch of other things. I can do most BPO's in 15-20 minutes. That includes everything but the picture taking time. I pull comps, fill out the form and upload all the pics. If you allow someone else to enter data into the form then I believe that there is a violation of the Real Estate Code Of Ethics.

It is interesting that you mention the Code of Ethics because I was doing my continuing education last night online for Code of Ethics and License Law. This is what it says,

An unlicensed assistant CAN perform the following tasks:

Answer the phone, forward calls to a licensee, give out addresses,
directions and list price.
Submit listings and changes to a multiple listing service.
Follow up on loan commitments after a contract has been negotiated.
Assemble documents for closings.
Obtain documents and information from the courthouse, utilities
offices, title companies and others.
Have keys made for company listings
Write ads for approval of the licensee and supervising broker and
place advertising (promotional information, newspaper ads, etc.)
Record and deposit earnest money, security deposits, and advance
rents.
Type (not create) contract forms for approval by the licensee and
supervising broker.
Monitor licenses and personnel files.
Compute commission checks.
Place signs on property.
Order items of routine repair as directed by the licensee.
Prepare flyers and promotional information for approval by the
licensee and supervising broker.
Act as courier service to deliver documents, pick up keys, etc.
Schedule appointments for licensee to show listed property.

I believe the

"Type (not create) contract forms for approval by the licensee and
supervising broker" would cover the way I'm using my typist.

As far as, is it worth having someone else do this minimal work, some forms are worth having him do it and some are pretty short and I just go ahead and do it because it's just as easy/fast.

That's just my thinking - everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

"Type (not create) contract forms for approval by the licensee and
supervising broker" would cover the way I'm using my typist.


Since when is a BPO a contract?

It's not, but I think that if they would allow them to do it for contracts, it would be the same principle.

Just out of curiosity, which article of the Code do you think I am violating?

A sidenote......is a medical transcriptionist practicing medicine because he/she transcribes? Is a paralegal practicing law because he/she assists an attorney in the preparation of documents?

Those people went to school and are professionals in what they do. Example: paralegals have degrees, transcriptionists also have degrees and went to school for what they are doing. Hiring someone with no experience in the Real Estate field and telling them to input data are totally different things than hiring a professional with a degree in that sort of field. I do not care what you do. I am just providing my opinion and explaining what I do.

You're right - everyone is entitled to an opinion but if you ever find that Code I am violating, let me know.

Oh, by the way, you don't need a degree to be a medical transcriptionist. It might help to have some sort of "certificate" to get a job but it's not a requirement. A friend of mine does it.

You are having an unlicensed person entering data onto a form that is a representation of value for a property. That is a Real Estate Activity. There is insurance required with this activity, its called E&O. The person entering the data is not covered because they are unlicensed. Just because you look it over does not make it right.

The person entering the info is not submitting the data. I proof it, add comments, make changes and press that submit button. I could see your point if he submitted it but I am doing the submitting.

That's OK, Real REO Deal, we can agree to disagree on this one.

You are not governed by the Realtor Code of Ethics. That are guidelines that you will follow if you want to join that group. Many of my friends here that are very successful agents are not Realtors.

Your state law is what governs your actions. Here in Texas, The Texas Real Estate Commission Code states that only licensed agents can prepare real estate documents, forms, etc. that are presented to clients. Since an unlicensed person inputting data is "preparing docs" that will be presented to a client (regardless of whether you review them or not, the unlicensed person prepared them) it would be understood as a no-no here in Texas.

Here in Texas, an unlicensed agent cannot even point to a contract and tell a buyer or seller to iniitial at a particular location.

Good point, Gig em - the list of unlicensed activities that I included in my previous post is from the Indiana Real Estate License Law. It would vary from state to state.

I hope the BPO police dont come after me for having other people input data for me!!!

Your admittance on this board may have lost you some business.

The E&O litmus test would be good one. If you data input person screws up and you don't catch it and it causes a problem and you honestly tell the bank that you did not input the data, your E&O would not cover the error.

If that would be the case, it is obvious that a licensed person should be inputting the data.

If I didn't proof it and catch the error and I submitted the form, it is MY error. E & O would cover it.

Is the E&O that you have yours or your brokers policy? Either way, it seems like you just want someone to agree with you. Well, its not going to be me.

I am the broker. It's my policy.

Nope - don't need your approval.

SO using your interpretation of the statute your unlicensed assistant cannot type any communications to your clients, thank you letters, marketing pieces, CMA's etc... I would be willing to bet if you contacted TREC for an "official" interpretation rather than your interpretation you would find that an unlicensed assistant can indeed input your data to a form but it would have to be then proofed and submitted by you the licensed agent.

Here in California, an unlicensed assistant can perform many tasks for the licensee, except quote listed or sales prices, or discuss any thing having to do with money. The play on words here seem to be "preparing documents" as opposed to "inputting data". Our Real Estate documents are prepared by our CAR or by the BPO companies. Inputting data which is obtained mostly from tax records, would not require a license. The agent is responsible for supervision of the data provided to the lender, therefore, I do not see where Makin Money violated her state's real estate law.

We already know that each state has different laws and guidelines since a license is not required in California to complete BPO's, so inputting data should not be a task which requires a license, IMHO.

Here in California you do not even need a license to complete BPO's.

I believe if you contact any BPO company and ask them if they require a licensed agent to fill out the BPO, 10 out of 10 would say YES we require a licensed agent to input all the data. Providing a BPO is not advertising or
thank you letters, its a serious matter that deserves 100% effort from the person who accepted the order. Maybe rereading some of the policies and procedures that you AGREED to when signing up for these companies might refresh your memory. Last I checked, it did not say that anyone can do these orders.

CalifDreaming, What you say may be correct, however when you sign up with a company to do BPO's they require a valid Real Estate license . Meaning an unlicensed person cannot do BPO's, no matter what the state laws are, you still have to abide by the company policies and as stated earlier not one company has said it is OK for an unlicensed agent to do any work on the BPO form.

You really seem to be hung up on this point. If you pull the comps and determine the bpo value then turn it over to your assistant to imput the data and pictures while you are working on the next one then you are working smarter and not harder. When the assistant has the form ready to submit then proof it and submit it. It is still your work product!

"Our Real Estate documents are prepared by our CAR or by the BPO companies."

If by preparing docs they mean the above, then legally non-licensed AND licensed cannot "prepare docs." agents cannot make form, only attorneys can.

I suppose if you checked all the data to make sure there were no errors and then submitted the work, you could say you did the work, but, for me, by the time I checked all the work to assure its accuracy, I might as well have inputted it to begin with. I don't see where the time savings is.

Out of probably 10,000 bpo's, I feel good that I accepted all orders, took all photos, inputted all data, selected all comps, considered all adjustments, made all the mistakes myself, and justified all the data when I receive the email questioning parts of my work. It would both aggrevate me and embarrass me if CC called and questioned why I put that a comp had 8 bedrooms rather than 3 because I overlooked the typo in my check of my helper's work.

I really don't care. I just have a different idea of whats right and wrong. I do my own work. The BPO takes 15-20 minutes to do. If info needs to be entered then why not do it yourself, especially when its YOUR order to do. How much time can be saved? It would take me longer to give someone else the info and I recheck it and input the values and comments. But then again, I wouldn't even know what to comment on because I did not see the comps. I just don't understand why people take on a job and then they don't want to do it right.

A similar analysis I think goes for taking photos. To me, to have someone else take photos for you is just wrong...especially if you are using an unlicensed persons. Most all bpo photo requirements ask to "also take photos of any factors of the property or neighborhood that might affect the market value or marketing of the property." If a person is looking at repairs issues, neighboring properties affect on value, roof condition, they are "evaluating" the property's conditions and making a judgement call on whether or not a factor is significent. Non-licensed persons are not allow to perform real estate functions.

I can't imagine how a person could complete a bpo on a property they did not see themselves.

That is why the tabletop BPOs are a farce and I hesitate to do they. We do tabletops on properties that we don't even know burnt down the night before.

Buring to the slab would probably affect a properties value.

Gig em, I totally agree with you on the photo taking that it must be done by the licensee as we are trained to notice any adverse conditions which may affect the subject, among other things. I do disagree with you regarding the desktop valuations because the instructions to us specifically states that no physical inspection is required of us. We are only following their instructions. They already have another agent's BPO or an appraisal in hand. I am sure the lender is just requiring a second or a third opinion of value especially with the declining real estate values we are now experiencing, and too depending on whether the lender is risking a second or third trust deed position.

BPO Bill, do you know if the 2720 can route better? or what if I get the 330, and enter each address as I go along? and route my own? I'm a cheap skate and if I can get one for 328.00 vs 594.00.......or do you all think get the 2720 in the first place?

If you are going to spend over $500 go for the Garmin Nuvi. I got mine brand new on Ebay for $535 and one for my wife for $542.

Meaning an unlicensed person cannot do BPO's

BPO=BROKER PRICE OPINION

Never once has someome (my data entry person) given MY oppinion.

I aggree that it is wrong to pay a photo taker but I do not see anything wrong with having someone input data that you provide.

Your opinion was provided by the processors that inputs the information. Do you research the comps? Who provides the sold comps and on market listings to use?

1. a belief or judgment that rests on grounds insufficient to produce complete certainty.
2. a personal view, attitude, or appraisal.
3. the formal expression of a professional judgment: to ask for a second medical opinion.
4. Law. the formal statement by a judge or court of the reasoning and the principles of law used in reaching a decision of a case.
5. a judgment or estimate of a person or thing with respect to character, merit, etc.: to forfeit someone's good opinion.
6. a favorable estimate; esteem: I haven't much of an opinion of him.

I drive by, I pull/research comps, I give the opinion. A secratary inputs DATA which I provide.


How the hell can someone else give MY opinion it is MY opinion.

If you pull the comps why not input the data? It takes 5 minutes to do and requires no printing. Are you just extremely SLOW or LAZY?


Since when did you have to defend doing things the right way? You people are CRAZY!

I dont like to input.
I can get more done if I am pulling comps while someone eles is inputing.

Thats correct...I forgot everything Real Deal says is the right and the sky is purple!!!

Mind if I break rank and go back to the GPS issue? I do a lot of rural, hard-to-find BPOs. Some of our neighboring counties don't even have EMS numbering yet, they still use the old Rural Route and Box # system. I need a GPS that can help me find these properties out in the boondocks. Do any of these GPS units map the rural areas?

Good question Agent 1126 (That's like Agent 86 only smarter)...

I'd look for a bud with one and play with it, give it some of your tougher addresses and see what it comes up with.

I'd give my eye teeth (okay, so I don't have my eye teeth anymore...I'd give $500 in a heartbeat) for a set of Assessor maps on my GPS...so that the GPS could show me (within 16 feet of course) where I'm standing in relation to the lot lines.

It seems like the online parcel/zoning maps use similar technology, but I haven't found a set of parcel maps in whatever format Garmins use.

Okay, so why don't one of you propeller heads do the project, there'd be $$$ in it.

Okay, now back to the other thread in this thread... A couple thoughts:

1) There are lots of ways to do business, some are just downright wrong, but there's lots of shades of grey... looks to me like we found one.

2) If you're a California Realtor there is a legal article on car.org about assistants, licensed and not. I'd post a link but it's in the members only area. Look it up, it's a good read. If you're somewhere else maybe your state association has something similar. (Our "free" legal hotline lawyer types have a collection of articles on line.)

3) Obviously for legal/liability issues the best solution is for your assistants to be licensed. In other industries this is common (you will rarely talk to even a receptionist in an insurance agency that isn't a licensed agent). But of course when an assistant gets licensed other issues arise... they want some of that "easy money" for themselves. Seems to me that moving your assistants towards a license would be a good thing, if you can keep the money/role issues clean.

Just my two cents... I'm too poor to have an assistant anyway... up till now.

I do not see a problem with someone inputting the data. As long as you are doing the other work. In fact I called a few months ago to our board and asked about bpos. They told me that (follow this logic) that technically bpos are not a licensed activity. Due to the fact they are opinions. Anyone can have an opinion. The companies just CHOOSE to use licensed agents. But where it the board flips is if you are getting paid the payment must go through your broker.

Are you people dense? BPO stands for BROKER PRICE OPINION!! How can you be unlicensed but provide a "BROKER" Price Opinion. Doesn't the word "BROKER" dictate that the report cannot be done by just anyone? If it could be done by anyone then it would be called "APO", Anyone's Price Opinion.

I think that your Board official needs to stay with making sure everyone has paid their dues and leave the knowledge business to others. A BPO is essentially a CMA of a property for the asset company, bank, etc. rather than for a particular homeowner. Try having your unlicensed assistant do CMA's and send them to owners. There are many real estate activities that are non-license dependent and there are real estate activities that require a license that doesn't have to involve your broker, but, at least in Texas, BPO's are not one of them.

Since they are "Broker" Price Opinion's, it is from a "Broker" not the two hour a day college student that comes in every other Tuesday from 1 to 3pm. I would think that is the case regardless of the state. The question would be would the E&O insurance kick in if there were issues? Probably not, as assistants do not work for the Broker.

Good point! ......be called "APO", Anyone's Price Opinion

Real REO Deal,
Hate to be the one to break this to you but there were many states that did not require Appraisers to be Licensed so do you really think those states really cared if the person doing a BPO is licensed!
So maybe you are the one that is just dense as you put it! Sorry the facts are working against your opinion.

I hate to break this to you Paul, but you are talking in past tense, does that still hold true? Secondly, It is irrelevant whether the state you work in requires you to be licensed or not, but rather the BPO company and their policies. Can you please name one company that does not require a valid Real Estate license? Just name me one and this conversation is over and you win.

I am not trying to win a conversation, I am just talking facts. If your assistant inputs your work product to the form it is your work. I challenge you to show any of us in writing or on the company website where it prohibits your assistant from typing your notes into the form.

Paul, this is a quote from Clear Capital:

4. Confidentiality of Product Reports. Vendor recognizes and agrees that the report or opinion transmitted to Clear Capital is its property, and Vendor will not share, transmit, or provide access to the report or opinion without first obtaining the express consent of Clear Capital. Vendor will contact Support@ClearCapital.com to obtain consent. Vendor further acknowledges that he or she may receive nonpublic personal information about consumers in the course of providing a report or opinion, and Vendor agrees that such information is private, confidential and not to be shared with or accessed by anyone other than a bona fide representative of Clear Capital.


Notice that it says you are not to communicate with anyone about what you are doing with regards to the the BPO. I believe most all companies have the same acknowledgement. Also, we are talking about unlicensed agents typing in the info so this is proof positive.

Or does that mean nothing as well?

The assistant doing the data entry is your employee and is covered under your Vendor status. If this were not so you would not be responsible for the actions of your assistant. You would have to keep all confidential client information secret frm your assistant which would totally defeat the purpose of having an assistant. Typing is not an activity that requires a Real Estate License and we are talking about non-licensed assistants, not agents.

You are wrong, Paul. If unlicensed people can enter the data wouldn't it be mentioned if it was OK? I only see it saying that you are not allowed to talk to anyone about the business you have with each indiviual company. Therefore, let it go and stop reading into something that is not there.

You are the one reading what is not there. We are talking about an unlicensed employee who works for you full or part-time. Using your logic you would not be able to discuss anything at all with your assistant because it is not specifically mentioned. Use a little common sense here! Your assistant is your direct employee and has access to your business files as that was the pupose of hiring an assistant in the first place. Your E&O covers actions of your unlicensed assistant as they are your direct extension.

Our broker's E&O insurance does not cover unlicensed assistants who work for self-employed agents. It does cover licensed agents and unlicensed who work for the broker.

Let me clarify. My assistant is my assistant but does get paid from the brokerage. I did not make that clear. Glad you caught that!

Look at it this way. We are not lawyers, but we are allowed to fill in the blanks on legal documents for our clients. An assistant filling in blanks on a BPO form is just doing the same thing. But beware--just as with agents, whose brokers are liable for their mistakes, a licensed real estate agent would be responsible for what his/her assistant filled in on a BPO form.

CAN WE PLEASE STAY ON TOPIC??!!! I AM TRYING TO LEARN ABOUT GPS SYSTEMS OVER HERE!!! So a new Nuvi can be purchased brand new on Ebay? I think I am going to buy a unit for Christmas, and I want to be sure to get good quality. Will any of these units automatically give me a route that will allow me to hit multiple properties without backtracking? Or, will they route me in the order that I input the addresses? How are these units mounted in my car? How long does it take to map my route? I need to know these things.

Rising,
I've been researching these units for a couple of weeks now, and I've found that yes, there are units that will route for you. Mountings vary; I've heard that some of the dash mountings are very difficult to remove.

Yes, you can get a new Nuvi on eBay, but check the prices online. Amazon has some GPS units for just a few bucks over eBay, free shipping, and more reliable. There are some other online dealers that offer good prices.

I just ordered a Garmin 2720 from Amazon.com at a very good price.

Good luck. Let us know what you settle on.

I went with the less expensive Garmin c320. I have dropped it a few times -- no problem, it has flash memory even the ability to upgrade the memory.

GPS saves so much time -- not reading a printed map/directions -- increases your saftey, spur of the moment trip planning, saves gas, don't have to search for street signs which sometimes are not there -- the GPS unit displays street names -- excellent feature at night, recalculates routes if you miss a turn or make a detour.

So far the window suction mount works good.

I know my area pretty good -- so I know which address to go to first. Inputting multiple addresses is not a requirement for me -- one at a time is fine.

GPS is a tool that should be in every Realtors toolbox.

Back to the topic at hand...

Will any of these units automatically give me a route that will allow me to hit multiple properties without backtracking? Or, will they route me in the order that I input the addresses?

My old Garmin IQue 3600 does, but I'm reading here that some don't DO NOT buy a unit that doesn't... putting your route in order is half the usefulness of the GPS.

How are these units mounted in my car?

Usually a windshield suction mount, but that's illegal in CA now, so they come with a little bean bag stand and sit on the dash. Every now and then mine flies across the car, so I'm gonna Velcro it down, as soon as I get around to it. They take a lot of power, so they have to plug into your cig lighter.

How long does it take to map my route?
Several seconds, unless you're in a hurry trying to figure which way to turn, then it takes an eternity. Really, 20 seconds or so.

I need to know these things.

I need to know, oh I need to know, I tell ya baby cause I need to know...

Lalalalalalalalalalalalala
I am snowed in and I am bored...fa la la la la
I don't know no matter how bad you need to know...I tell ya baby, I just don't know.

FYI, you can get industrial strength velcro that is about 2 inches or so wide. We used to use it to keep radar units on the dash instead of flying around the police car during wrecks or crazy driving!

And it isn't illegal, at least down South. (I ain't sure what the law is fer all ya long-haired Nancy-Pelosi-votin' hippies from California...)

I asked for a Garmin for Christmas - let's see what Santa has to say...

Who's a long haired hippy?

If you want a model for winning a Republican race, there's only one place to look and one strategy to follow:

1. Make lots of movies with really big guns.
2. Be resposible with taxpayer money (at least a little)
3. Talk funny.
4. If you screw up and everybody knows it, don't pretend you didn't.
5. Sleep with a beautiful Democrat.

Do all that and a Republican can win a landslide in the most Democrat State in the Union.


As for the law on GPS.... it's recent. It's legal to have stuff on your dash but not to hang it from the windshield with a suction cup. I don't know why.

By the way... buy the Garmin with your BPO money, it's a business expense... and ask Santa for something better....


like a copy of his list of naughty girls.

Nuvi 350 will automatically give you the route without backtracking. It's great, I put in 5-6 properties at a time.

Actually, you are quite right. In this case, Santa will probably be me, after me meeting with my CPA in a couple of weeks. We will see whether or not I have to spend some money before the end of the year, as it actually looks like we accidentally made more money than I thought we would...

As for the naughty girls, I used to have a large portion of that list, but my wife seems to have hidden it somewhere...

...And she did not think that it was funny that a sub-prime buyer client of mine told us that she didn't pay most of her bills after her divorce - just the important stuff: her car note and her Victoria's Secret card! My mortgage broker buddy who was prequalifying her in my office just about blew a gasket!

And as for sleeping with a beautiful Democrat, well, my wife would qualify. Maybe I ought to run for governor!

Would that sub prime client be on Santa's naughty list? I mean if she thinks Victoria's Secret is important it kind of tells you what her wardrobe choices would be. Maybe you could put her under Gary's tree for Christmas.

I will chat with her about that when we meet to find her new dream home. (Or as much of a dream home as she can get for $150K or so...)

She is quite possibly on that list, considering the low-cut dress she wore to the meeting with me and the mortgage broker! He was still talking about it three days later!

Lowest priced Garmins etc can be found at
buyeretail.com, Garmin C 330 $ 288.00 + SH 19.95
next best is Wal-Mart--I gave up on ebay........

You all speak of the GPS systems... why not just download Google Maps for MOBILE (fairly new) which works exactly like those sold for $$$ - I work a lot of rural areas and it has yet be wrong!

If, for example, you are from here, I have no problem getting directions to Simla, Elbert, Guffy, and ALL areas are not found, say on, map quest... which really sucks!

Amy

Google maps cant compare to a good gps system. A gps is worth every single penny. PLus you get to write it off of your taxes.

I had Garmin mobile on my phone, not as good. Plus half the time i'm on my phone while doing these.