Table Talk With Apella

It’s a well know fact that companies come together in business on several fronts forming alliances in effort of common goals, and for most it is a positive thing. However it’s a sign for the small business that they have reached a point in their development when the day comes where they decide that it is better they walk away from a request for such makings of bedfellows. The day of the realization that goodwill is more important then income streams.

For any company including those in real estate that are small businesses image can make or break the enterprise. While it may be safe to say that for many small businesses image rarely enters thoughts, real estate is one of the most effected industries when it comes to company image. So many brokerages and shops are built on reputation that every partnering truly needs to be fully analyzed before they are agreed to less the possible threat to the established reputations.

True life example

Early this week an e-mail was received by some source or other claiming to be a pay-day loan company seeking to purchase advertising space on Table Talk With Apella. Keeping in mind that Apella an appraisal management company is the parent to Table Talk With Apella the request was still made by the “pay-day loan” people/person. A request for ad space on a site owned and ran by a company that holds lender clients and is in an industry heavily affected by five years of bad loans.

While it may be true that Apella markets to homeowners, still it could not be a poorer choice in approachment of offer/request by the “pay-day loan” company. To be honest it was rather insulting that this supposed company would ask that Apella risk relationships with established lender clients.

Needless to say, the offer was replied to requesting a contact name and number (with no results) then flatly denied by the Apella management. Apella holds an agenda with Table Talk With Apella as a vital tool in the promoting of improvement to the real estate industries. A commitment that can not be sold in lure of ad revenue in the eyes of management unless the ad directly seeks to help those involved with the real estate industries. The decision to take on ad revenue from a “pay-day loan” company would do nothing but harm Apella’s goodwill and in management’s opinion, regardless of the desire for income streams.

There comes a point when all business will be or is faced with the same decision in some form or format… goodwill or income streams.

True life example - Caliber of “pay-day loan” companies like Rent-A-Center

The Wall Street Journal reported as relayed by Reuters in an item tilted Rent-A-Center ask charity to quit coalition and MarketWatch item titled Lobbying For Payday Loans (see video below) the “good will” of such companies show true. Stagers and others beware of Rent-A-Center when deciding to do business with them less you run the risk of doing business with a company that would take food from the mouth of the poor (possible consumer view). Should you be in the business of renting items on a temporary basis for the staging and sale of real estate consider the news reports.

Per the news reports Rent-A-Center pulled a vile move in the strong arming of America’s Second Harvest Ohio locations threatening to pull funding from the non-profit that supplies food to the poor should they not remove themselves from a coalition supporting the capping of interest rates in the State of Ohio on pay-day lenders.

It should be noted that the writer of this post once, many years ago, worked for Rent-A-Center and there were many reasons supporting the departure from the company including the fact that they prefer to operate under such management positions. Rent-A-Center has made its wealth off the poor… simple fact. However one can not be as so naive as not to understand that as one landlord once stated “There’s money in the hood”. Rent to own companies including Rent-A-Center make their living off the poor, financially uneducated and/or undisciplined. The fact that they collect by means that may seem to be strong-arming does not surprise that they would pull the same tactic with charitable contributions.

The fact remains that a real estate professional or say real estate stager as well as the rest of Corporate America/small business must consider the effect that sure while Rent-A-Center can choose how they use their money, do the rest of us want them as a corporate neighbor? How will the public see our business should we decide to do business with companies that act in the fashions as noted in this post and supported by media reports?

In the True Life example Rent-A-Center chose income over goodwill.

There is no doubt that a company must always be aware of who they team up with in business and what that partner brings to the table including image and goodwill. There is no doubt that it is a strange feeling when the small business gets to the point that they must fully consider these types of issues. Welcome to the corporate neighborhood small business… welcome to the corporate neighborhood watch.

Until the next post, thanks for reading and keep looking out.

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Even though spring strolled in a month ago, between weather and time the dreaded “Spring Cleaning” is now well under way in the office. It must be clearly stated that this is not a favorite duty let alone a past time, but more of one of those task that just must be done. Must be done no matter how much it is loathed.

Automobiles have been cleaned, restocked and readied for the road. Computers are undergoing file cleaning and rearranging (plenty of blog related files). A couple of computers are getting refitted with software overhauls and such and then there is the worst of the worst….paper related cleaning and filing. What can be said other then it was a long and busy winter. So spring is finally here!

Sure while it is vital for a business to stay organized it sure is easier said then done. Just a little extra cost to ensure efficiency. Cost in time, software, equipment and even some basic office supplies. So what is the driving force other then the need to make sure one can still find the key board on the desk? Answer… simple mind set and speed of processes and/or procedures in order to reduce over all cost not to mention stress of the labor force.

Sure, sounds simpler said then done, just like so much about small business and the running of such an entity. Thank God there is a movement with in this small company to keep as much as possible paperless. It can not even be mentally imaged what the office areas would look like with out the paperless drive. That drive will continue to help as more and more paper based items find their way to the scanning and then shredder fate. What a wonderful day it will be when all paper files are officially digitally based and stored.

The one hidden benefit of this “Spring Cleaning” and annual project is the retaking of inventory for all areas of operations (mostly office supplies). It is always nice to go through and see what is had and needed. The taking of inventory also allows for that famous “Oh Yeah I Forgot That We Even Had This Thing!” That’s always fun as the “Thing” gets reshuffled and stuffed in the back of a cabinet or something until next year. Just can’t seem to get rid of anything or everything… there might be a use for the stupid thing.

Of course this is a last ditch effort to get out of the way before the start of the season (heavy production traffic). As if there is not enough to fit into a regular 24 hour day “Spring Cleaning” too? Sure there is customer relations/service, production, marketing, labor training and relations, vendor relations and administrative areas of responsibilities such as accounting… and “Spring Cleaning”. Just never enough hours in the day!

So back to it… the “Spring Cleaning” and who knows maybe some good will come from it if not at least a few sighs, moans and awe gees.

Until the next post, thanks for reading and wishes of good luck.

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When does an industry come of age? For most that is not a question usually asked but one that history determines. The American Medical Association was established in 1847, for the American Bar Association, the year was 1878. In comparison the appraisal industry is as old as when land was sought by kings and queens, still, the industry has only came into its current form (in the U.S.) with in the last 25 years or there about. Perhaps it is time for the appraisal industry to come of age as well and finally be viewed similar to the ADA and ABA.

With the latest developments including the New York Attorney General Cuomo-Fannie/Freddie agreement (HVCC), the true lack of laws regulating lenders and others in regards to appraisals and the current appraisal industry leaders courting the National Association of Realtors vs. staying at home and better serving their members, the time does appear to be at hand.

Of course one can not print on such a subject in a blog post or else where with out expecting the “Old Guard” from voicing their objections, after all they would be no less above defending their position even if it included back door tactics in Washington D.C., just so as long as they can hold some degree over the 109,000 or so appraiser’s nation wide. Just the number with in the industry alone is enough to concede the need for such a guild.

It should be noted that while growing up in Michigan one can only testify to the failures of the big unions, and as fate would have it economics will push history to prove the former statement. Yet a guild or association is not the same as a union while they do share one goal… that is member numbers increased. The appraisal industry has done a fine job over the course of the years in keeping appraiser numbers down, a trend that must be reversed if the industry wants to maintain and survive.

There are those that are slowly but surly moving the appraisal industry in the direction of a “guild like” evolution, as noted by the publishing of a White Paper authored the head of the Appraisal Foundation in March of 2007 David S. Bunton. The appraisal industry is already on its way to becoming a similar entity to that already found in the medical, legal and accounting professions.

So what has resisted the evolution that is spoken of here? Several factors affect the appraisal industry and none other the old mind set held by the very industry members.

The service sector is not so removed from the manufacturing sector….

Having began a work history in the skilled trades and with in the manufacturing sector, one notes subtle similarities between the two and journeymen and appraisers are not so different in their core thinking. Even though, both are being forced to change as this post is being keyed out, there is no denying that fact the same as to no denying the mentalities of job security. The wheels of change have been put into motion long before this post was wrote, yet it is a small blog comment from across the virtual space, from a non-appraisal blog, that has sparred this post.

From the White Paper, one key factor in keeping the appraisal industry from reaching the ranks of an association body based industry, is education. Granted there is no doubt that this fact is true and supported, there are other areas that have worked well in keeping the appraisal industry weaken, none other then the lack of desire… economical desire. Sometimes comfort levels need to be tested or perhaps it just boils down to the need for more youth with in the industry, more diversity as a whole. The writer would only hope that the appraisal industry has not become complacent in desire.

One thing is for certain and that is that the appraisal industry needs political effect in Washington D.C. and a guild or association can assist in delivering on such a need. Currently there is only but one appraiser oriented voice in Washington D.C. and that voice has done wonders in speaking for its own behalf. The time is now for a change and a coming of age.

If nothing else, the development of an appraisal guild… of an association will assist in vital areas to the industry. Areas such as marketing, education, regional pricing, as a counter to governmental regulations and speaking of governmental regulations, an organized effort to counter regulation that is harmful to the appraiser or appraiser industry. All of these are needed in today’s appraisal industry.

Rest assured, in time it could be a one day goal of Apella’s in the establishing of such a guild, should the company continue its growth in appraiser vendor network members, should the time be right. Hopefully it can come about sooner as time is always a battle in its self, but two things are sure to be a fact 1) the initiative will be supported and 2) all are welcomed.

Until the next post, thanks for reading and for being there!

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Late last year Table Talk With Apella posted on several changes that were being worked on and slow but sure they are starting to appear on this little real estate appraisal blog. The latest is the addition of yet another list providing resources for the readers and others in the real estate businesses.

The list found on the left hand side is titled News From Apella Coverage Areas.

The list is links to online newspapers for cities that are located in Apella markets. It should be noted that the list does not cover all towns in the Apella Coverage Areas or all papers for the major cities listed. Readers will find that the list does make up the major news sources that can be found online for several major metropolitan areas. Now readers can stay up to date in over 30 major metropolitan areas through out the country. Staying current on events includes real estate news as provided by listed news providers.

There has never been any doubt that while most real estate blogs are localized, as they need and should be, Apella does not fit into the “local” aspect as easily based on business model and markets. With this list Table Talk With Apella moves into the direction of providing local real estate topics as well as national for the markets covered. In the future there will be more blog post linking back to items covered in the online papers listed to the left.

Of course this list joins the others already found on Table Talk With Apella. These lists include the blog lists that link readers to real estate professionals via over 130 real estate related blogs, also national news links list, government site list and non-profit site list that help keep with Apella’s community support and resource providing efforts.

As we grow in markets additional news resources will be added. In the meantime please feel free to visit the current news providers. Should readers wish to have resources added, please feel free to Contact Apella and every effort will be made to consider and/or provide for the request.

Until the next post, thanks for reading and please enjoy the latest resource.

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Most anyone in business or at least customer service understands the need for the customer to voice their opinions and of course sometimes even vent. Most everyone… but ah last there are yet a few in business that prefer to keep the client silent. As a real estate professional we must ask ourselves if we are one of the later.

With the development of the blog the area of customer/client interjection has improved over the last few years. Perhaps this is why some real estate industry members wish not to have an active blog. Perhaps that ability of the client/customer to voice dissatisfaction is the make or break for those that think in the same of Third World Governments.

This subject can not be posted on fairly without of course throwing blame to the big businesses just the same. While many major corporations claim they give the consumer voice, most bloggers are all to well aquatinted with the stories of wrath brought on by Big Corporate America when a lone consumer in acts their right to free speech. Perhaps some in real estate would just prefer to limit the consumer’s right to voice their thoughts and needs, of course until the consumer gets their own blog… funny how independent the consumer is these days.

Last week Table Talk With Apella announced the creation of Apella’s Forum (see here) which with in the next couple of week’s promotions will start informing the homeowner, investor, lender and other real estate professionals to the existence of the Forum.

There are several reasons for the purpose of the Forum and one is to allow the consumer an opportunity to voice needs.

There is no doubt that the writer of this blog feels that consumers relate well to a company that truly and fully allows a consumer the opportunity to share, even if it may not be to the company’s best view. Where most company’s and real estate professionals included make their mistake is in the failure to act on what the client, customer or consumer is saying.

For most in management that hold the responsibility of labor relations (supervisor as an example) it is learned early on in their career that it is best to cut a problem off at the pass. This can not be done with out communication or at least strong observations by the management. That is if the management/manager should choose to deal with the problem in the first place.

There are many reasons that consumer voice should be encouraged and the business including real estate professional who are in themselves a small business need to strongly consider giving that ability to those they interact with.

Until the next post, thanks for reading and sharing.

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