Issue # 83. July 30, 2004

Previous issues of ClickTALK 

IN THIS ISSUE:
  • Appraisal Today Conference Is Next Week
  • Reminder - Join the Order Tracking and Accounting Discussion 
  • Reminder: User Group Meeting August 5 at Appraisal Today Conference
  • Dual Monitors - How To Info
  • Home Sales Hit Record in June
  • Where Are They All Going To Live

Appraisal Today Conference Is Next Week  - August 5-6, South San Francisco, CA 

Here's some info on the conference

WHY COME TO THE CONFERENCE

The conference is for all appraisers, from trainees to those with 30+ years experience (or more), Trainees will get education beyond what is taught in basic education classes. There are sessions for both residential and commercial appraisers. 

The education sessions are not the usual boring CE topics with "war stories." Speakers are experts, such as the two ASB (Appraisal Standards Board) members teaching the USPAP sessions. Topics important to appraisers today are covered, such as the new Fannie Mae forms, new commercial appraisal narrative report programs, appraiser pressure, the future of residential appraising, and how to use the latest technology. 

Conference Pricing

  • All 3 days - $425 (Best Buy!!)
  • 2 days (Aug. 4, 5 or 6) - $295 
  • 1 day (Aug. 5 or 6) - $195 for one day (Aug. 5 or 6)
  • 1 day (Aug. 4) 7- hour National USPAP Update - $150 
  • $30 per day for guests (No education sessions)
  • $5 expo-only passes (on-site registration required) This is great deal!!!

Note on USPAP for CA appraisers: To renew your license you must have taken the 7 hour National USPAP Update since 12/31/02. If you took a USPAP class prior to 1/1/03, it is not acceptable for renewal.

Conference CE Credit

  • USPAP is approved in all states. August 5-6 is approved for 7 hours credit for each day, except:
  • MN - pending approval. NV and NY - did not approve some sessions
  • AK, MA, SC, VT, WV - not approved or not submitted. 
  • Go to State approval statuses and approval numbers for more information

Conference Schedule

Wednesday, August 4 - 7 hour National USPAP Update
8 AM to 9AM - Registration
9AM to 5:15 PM - one 1/4 hour lunch break 
(lunch on your own - all materials included)
Instructor - Corina Rollins, California Certified Residential appraiser

Thursday, August 5 
8 AM to 9AM - Registration
9AM - Welcome by Ann O'Rourke, MAI, SRA Conference organizer
9AM to Noon - AM Concurrent Sessions (Choose One)

Noon - 1:15 PM - FREE Lunch 

1:15 PM to 5:15 PM  - PM Concurrent Sessions (Choose One)

Friday, August 6 

8 AM to 9AM - Registration
9AM to Noon - AM Concurrent Sessions (Choose One)

Noon - 1:15 PM - FREE Lunch

1:15 PM to 5:15 PM  - PM Concurrent Sessions (Choose One)

Reminder: User Group Meeting August 5 at Appraisal Today Conference  

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.  

Reminder - Join the Order Tracking and Accounting Discussion

There is a great discussion thread about Order Tracking and Accounting on our online ClickForms User Group Forum. We'd like to hear what you think. So far the needs break out into two groups: the one person appraisal office and the multi-person, multi-office business. Are you in this category or a different one and what are your needs. Check out the discussion and make sure your needs are voiced. If you have some unique order tracking or accounting needs, send us an email at suggestions@bradfordsoftware.com. You can send the suggestion right from ClickForms. Send Suggestions is located under the Help menu.

If you have not joined the ClickForms User Forum, this is a good time to do so. At last count there were 548 topics and 5,495 posting. There's something in there for everyone.

Dual Monitors - How To Info

A few weeks ago, had an article on increasing your productivity by having dual monitors. Some of you asked if we could provide more information on setting dual monitors. So we found some websites that go into great detail on setting up dual monitors. Here are the links:

http://www.cyberinkdesign.com/dual_monitors.htm

http://www.oceansystems.com/dtective/dual_monitor_setup.pdf

http://www.g4techtv.com/feature.aspx?article_key=14382

http://freepctech.com/pc/001/guide_dual_monitors.shtml

http://www.tweakheadz.com/dual_monitor_solution_for_DAW.html

If you are thinking of purchasing a monitor, consider getting one that you can rotate so you can see the report in portrait mode. Many of you do not know this, but we were offering this solution to appraisers as far back as 1987. We had the only WYSIWYG appraisal solution and everyone else was peddling DOS solutions. I think we have all learned that you get what you pay for and sometimes paying a little more for a little more productivity pays off many times over in the long run. The raqdius monitor definitely cost more, but it sure did make completing the report easy.

Here is a picture of our product being displayed on a Radius portrait monitor back in 1987. 

Home Sales Hit Record in June

Sales of existing homes hit an all time high in June as rising mortgage rates triggered a rush by fence-sitters to close deals before rates went higher. Analysts predicted that even if sales slow as expected in the coming months, 2004 will still be another banner year for housing sales. 

The June increase, which was the fifth consecutive gain, pushed the annual rate of existing homes sales to 6.95 million units. Every region of the country either tied or set its record for sales activity.

Will Home Sales Always Go Up - Where Are These People Going To Live?

The world is going to get more crowded. How long do you think it takes the world to add a billion people. According to the United Nations, we will add one billion people in 13 years. That is actually a decrease from the record birth rate of a billion/12 years set in 1999 when the world reached 6 billion people. So by 2013, we will have added another billion to reach a population of 7 billion people on earth. Our question is: Where are they going to live? Doesn't seem like home sales are going to slow down any time soon. 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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