ACI2010™ boasts some slick productivity tools that will bring a new level of efficiency to your appraisal report writing process. You'll really love ACI2010's data import capabilities; specifically “how to” import comps from your local MLS data, directly into the grid, as well as the 1004MC Addendum.

Let’s talk about your MLS provider, because that’s where all the fun begins. Most of the MLS systems around the country today provide the ability to export or download the results from your MLS search to a file. You may have to hunt and peck to find this feature on your MLS menu, but if your MLS has this capability, then you can say YES TO MLS! The key word or acronym that you’re looking for is “CSV”, a commonly used file format which stands for Comma Separated Value. If we haven’t mapped the CSV from your MLS, just call ACI Sales at 800-234-8727 and say “MLS PLEASE” and we’ll build the filter to import the MLS data directly into ACI2010. There is chance that we’ve already “mapped” your MLS, which means the hard part is done.

Search. Export. Import. So how does it work? Let’s assume you’ve researched your MLS, exported the market data to a CSV file, inspected the comps, and now you’re ready to import the data into your appraisal report. Launch ACI, and point to Import Analysis on the eServices menu. Select the CSV file from your local drive, and ACI2010 will import the sales/listing directly into ACI2010’s market data worksheet for further analysis.

Market Conditions Magic. Once you’re in the worksheet, assign the effective date, and the worksheet automatically separates the sales and listing data into the appropriate monthly time slots. The worksheet presents a list of all the properties that drive the market calculations (Inventory Analysis, Median Sale & Price, DOM). Trends are quickly assigned using dropdowns in the worksheet. In the event you run across a non-arms length transaction, check a box to exclude any properties from your calculations. When you’re satisfied with the results, click “Import to ACI” to populate the 1004MC Addendum as well as the current listing and sales data above the grid—that’s all there is to it.

Great Gridness! If you want to import the comps to the grid, you can use the worksheet to do that too! Click the “comparable import” tab in the worksheet to view all the sales and listings in the CSV file. Using the “available comparables” drop downs, assign your comparable sales and listings to the appropriate slot, and the worksheet imports yours comps directly into the grid—sorry, you’ll have to make your own adjustments.

If I’ve piqued your interest, I encourage you watch the 1004MC eService In-Motion video in action. The MC eService works off the ChoiceCredits™ model, so if you currently have ChoiceCredits in your account, just call Sales to have the MC eService added into your profile, and you’re good to go. If you'd like to learn more about either of these new productivity tools, please call ACI Sales at 1-800-234-8727.

Talk to you soon!
George