Issue # 80. July 9, 2004

Previous issues of ClickTALK 

IN THIS ISSUE:
  • Is Business Picking Up? Interest Rates Are Coming Down 
  • Get Ready for Next Release of ClickFORMS
  • We're Providing a Complete solution for the New Fannie Mae Forms
  • Introducing "Show Me How...." Movies - Now with Voice Annotation
  • User Group Meeting at Appraisal Today Conference -  August 5, San Francisco

Is Business Picking Up? Interest Rates Are Coming Down

Is your business picking up. It should be. Even though the prime interest rate went up a quarter point, loan interest rates have been steadily coming down for the last three weeks and are at the same level as they were in April of this year. Here's some a news clip form the MBA.

The refinance share of mortgage activity increased to 35.8 percent of total applications from 33.4 percent the previous week. The adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) share of activity increased to 34.1 percent of total applications from 33.9 percent the previous week.

The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages decreased to 5.96 percent from 6.21 percent one week earlier, with points increasing to 1.37 from 1.30 the previous week (including the origination fee) for 80 percent loan-to-value (LTV) ratio loans.

The average contract interest rate for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages decreased to 5.39 percent from 5.61 percent one week earlier, with points decreasing to 1.31 from 1.40 the previous week (including the origination fee) for 80 percent LTV loans.

The average contract interest rate for one-year ARMs decreased to 3.90 percent from 4.18 percent one week earlier, with points increasing to 1.12 from 1.04 from the previous week (including the origination fee) for 80 percent LTV loans.

Get Ready for Next Release of ClickFORMS

We are preparing the next release of ClickFORMS and provide some provide you with some advance notice so you can prepare for the update. So here are some things that will affect you.

1. You will have to re-register this version of the software. If you have already registered, it will be a one click operation that will take about 3 seconds. We are working on automating this process, but for this release it will be manual. There is a 30 day grace period to register.

2. We are switching to a new web-based map provider. The new version of ClickFORMS will access this new provider. We are going to turn off the original provider's service at the end of August. So if you are using these web based maps, you will have to update to continue using them.

3. The ClickFORMS file format will be changing. If you are working in a group, plan on upgrading as a group so you can continue to share files.

3. Included in this release will be the new Fannie Mae forms, fully integrated into ClickFORMS. See the note below.

3. We have a number of surprises planned for the release, but we'll keep them a surprise until release day.

We're Providing a Complete solution for the New Fannie Mae Forms

Fannie Mae released some new forms as you probably already know. But there are some addendums missing, so we are creating the addendums to go with the new forms. Expect a complete solution when we release ClickFORMS.

Here's the list of the new Fannie Mae forms. (Note: October 1 is last day to submit comments)

Uniform Residential Appraisal Report (1004): for one-unit appraisals based on an interior and exterior property inspection.

Definitions, Statement of Limiting Conditions, and Appraiser Certification (1004B): for use with all one- to four-unit appraisal reports.

Exterior-Only Inspection Residential Appraisal Report (2055): for one-unit appraisals based on exterior only property inspections.

Manufactured Home Appraisal Report (1004C): for one-unit manufactured home appraisals based on an interior and exterior property inspection.

Individual Cooperative Interest Appraisal Report (1073): for an individual cooperative unit based on an interior and exterior property inspection.

Exterior Only Inspection Individual Cooperative Interest Appraisal Report (1075): for an appraisal of an individual cooperative unit based on an exterior only property inspection.

Appraisal Update and/or Completion Report (1004D) for use with all one- to four-unit appraisal reports

Small Residential Income Property Appraisal Report (1025): for appraisals of two- to four-unit properties based on an interior and exterior property inspection.

Two- to Four-Unit Residential Appraisal Field Review Report (2000): for appraisal field reviews for two- and four-unit appraisal reports.

Introducing "Show Me How...." Movies - Now with Voice Annotation

Last week we released four Show Me How videos. This week we are releasing three more videos. We also voice annotation to all seven of them. Now you don't even have to read! We hope the Show Me How's will help in using ClickFORMS and in training new employees. We are planning a library of about 50 clips. These are the ones we currently have in stock. Note there is no rental charge or late fees.

1. Show Me How to Download and Install ClickFORMS
2. Show Me How to Use the Forms Manager
3. Show Me How to Use the Forms Library
4. Show Me How to Open a Template in ClickFORMS
5. Show Me How to Open ToolBox Files in ClickFORMS
6. Show Me How to Add My Digital Signature
7. Show Me How to Add an Additional User

You can find the seven movies on our website at www.bradfordsoftware.com/support/ShowMe

Please check them out and let us know what you think. If you would like to make sure we have a video on a certain topic or area of ClickFORMS, please let us know. Thanks to all who sent in feedback on the videos. We welcome all feedback. Please email your suggestions and comments to suggestions@bradfordsoftware.com.     Thanks.  

User Group Meeting at Appraisal Today Conference -  August 5, San Francisco

If you are in the bay area, plan on attending the Appraisal Today Conference during the days of August 4-6 in the South San Francisco. Also plan on joining the Bradford Technologies team for the ClickFORMS User Group meeting on August 5 after the tradeshow. Details on the conference can be found at http://www.appraisaltoday.com.  

Have a Good Weekend Everyone

Have a good weekend everyone. Drive safely while you're out inspecting. Don't forget to tell your friends about ClickForms. 
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