Appraisers' Free Forum

Please vote for the appraisal report software you use or like the best. I currently use ACI and am considering a change
to Clickforms.

I've only ever used ACI and do like it BUT I don't like the charges to use it and am looking for a cheaper solution.

If you use something I haven't listed please post about that too. If you care to elaborate about ease of use, customer service, cost per year please feel free.

Thanks!
Alisa

I wonder how many here got into the biz when DOS was a memory? I used Day1 back in those days, but when they came out with the Windows version, I tried it for about a year than switched to ACI. I've only had to call Tech support once in 6 years, I haven't had a support contract for the last 4 years, and best of all they NEVER call trying to sell you something.

TC

I used Homputer when I started. I went to Ala Mode after a year, but the costs and the upgrade costs kept me looking. I tried Bradford and liked it. It did everything I wanted.....it prepared reports and I never had software issues. That was 15 years ago. I had a discussion once with Mr Biggers of Ala Mode when I was thinking about switching (it has more bells and whistles). Instead of discussing reliability, accuracy, and stability, the discussion centered around the accounting and tracking features. I used (and taught) Peachtree for years. I used Lacerte after that. I currently use Quickbooks Pro (it integrates with ProSeries from Turbo Tax). At the time of the discussion, I was not looking for another accounting program. I certainly did not want an accounting program put together by appraisers. The other part of the discussion centered around their service contracts. I find it unconscionable to charge nearly $2000 for a software package and have to have platinum support to make it work or in case it fails in the middle of writing a report. Software of that price needs to work right out of the box. If it doesn't, it indicates complexity beyond necessity. Since 1992 I have NEVER had to call tech support at Bradford. I have my copy on four different computers. (Yes, I keep a copy on two notebooks and two desktops. The desktops are backups and used in the office, the notebooks go with me into the field, all are backed up to each other, and if one crashes I am up and running again in a minute or two.)

I understand Bradford has a $40.00 a month pay as you go plan. That includes the sketching program, all updates, and tech support. I like that concept. It is a bit higher per year, but it is a lot easier to handle when starting out than laying out a couple of grand plus support. Bradford has always allowed you to demo their software for 30 days before you buy it, and the demo is fully functional. You can produce a report and deliver it without purchasing it during that 30 day trial period.

Alisa wrote:Please vote for the appraisal report software you use or like the best. I currently use ACI and am considering a change
to Clickforms.

I've only ever used ACI and do like it BUT I don't like the charges to use it and am looking for a cheaper solution.

If you use something I haven't listed please post about that too. If you care to elaborate about ease of use, customer service, cost per year please feel free.

Thanks!
Alisa

Wordwise "Clickforms" is the original program put out by Bradford & Robbins 20 years ago. After that they upgraded to Appraisers Toolbox. Then several years ago they changed the format and looks of the program and came up with ClickFORMS. The capitalization is the difference between the old and the new. I have used it for most of those 20 years and it would be hard for me to change. I love the program. I love the idea that you can have an unlimited number of comps if you want. They also have photo addendums with up to 15 photos per page and if you have vertical photos, they have photo addendum pages for those too! The mapping program over the past year has been one of the best upgrades here lately. When you map your comps the distance and direction is added to your report. Not only that but if you move the arrows on the location map, your distances changes in the form. A very awesome program to say the least!

I have used ACI and Homeputer and I really like Homeputer. It does everything I need it to do and more.

The service if you need any which is not very often is excellent. I use other software for tracking my orders and keeping track of other office tasks.

Everytime I had a question and called my question was answered by the person who created the software try that with any other software company.

I find the problem with the other appraisal software companies is there are to many things that you pay for that you don't really use most of the time that are included.

With ACI the first words when you call are do you have a service contract.

Homeputers cost is less then the price of most service contracts with the other companies.

Jim Hill