Appraisal Technology

REB Consulting began installing computer technology into our office environment in 1983.  The first uses were to improve the quality of the secretarial and transcription functions for report processing.  Shortly thereafter, we purchased our first spreadsheet program and began designing spreadsheets to perform the mathematical calculations involved in the three approaches to value.  Our first fully computerized appraisal report was generated in 1984.   Since that primitive beginning we have greatly expanded our level of expertise by utilizing the latest computers, software and online capabilities.  We are able to do most of our research online; however, that depends to a great extent on the county and state we are working in at the time.  For example: in Beaufort County, SC we are able to obtain copies of deeds, plats, listings, sales, tax assessor cards, maps & records, flood maps, zoning maps & ordinances online 24/7.  With the information available online we generally have a pretty good idea of what to expect before the inspection takes place.

We are so technically advanced that we are able to download and edit photos and insert them directly onto the page of the report.  We can scan most any document, photo, plan or map into the report.  Using spreadsheets we have developed numerous valuation models to prepare the valuation analysis.  Our accounting and report management functions are entirely computerized.  We are even able to receive orders online and electronically keep you up to date on our progress.  Our Apex sketching software allows us to provide a detail sketch of the site, the buildings and electronically include them in the report.  Once the report is completed we can send it by mail or electronically by email as a PDF file attachment.

We have even come to the point that we design, build and host our own website and help others do the same.  Payments for appraisal services are possible by credit card or electronic check through our secure online PayPal Account.  Of course we also accept off-line payment by traditional methods also.

Having grownup in the industry from the time every report was manually typed on an IBM Electric Typewriter to today with all of the available electronic gear and online assistance, it is hard to imagine ever going back to those primitive methods we used only 28 years ago.