How to Map a CSV File for ACI Analytics

by | Mar 20, 2024

  1. In a report, go to eServices > Import Analysis Data > ACI Analytics. 
  2. At the Subject tab, confirm the Subject’s information and characteristics or click Get Subject Data.
  3. Select File.
  4. Select the dropdown for MLS Provider Map and select Create New Map then New or Edit.
  5. At the New MLS Map window click Browse select your CSV file then click Load.
  6. Under Map Name, enter a name.
  7. After loading your CSV data it will appear under MLS Columns, clicking on each will display the corresponding data under MLS Column Data.
  8. From the MLS Columns list using the left arrow, match the appropriate MLS Column to the Mapped Columns.
  9. Once finished, click Save.

Please note: Not all the headers in the MLS Columns will match that of the ACI Columns. For instance, Sale Date and Sale Price may show as Closed Date and Closed price. Logic will be needed to try to interpret the information correctly. Also, not all of the fields that show in the MLS Columns will be available for use in the Mapped Columns.

Asterisks next to the ACI Column indicate a required field. Excluding required fields may cause discrepancies in your regression and histograms.

The MLS Map will be saved to C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\ACI\ESERVICES\Analytics\Maps.

Using ACI Analytics

by | Mar 20, 2024

What is ACI Analytics?

ACI Analytics is an eService for ACI Report™ to help you analyze market conditions, examine property characteristics, select comparables, and perform statistical analysis. The product is designed to be simple and easy to use. Analytics is structured in modules, so you have the flexibility to use only the sections that you feel comfortable with and that apply to your market.

Analytics is comprised of five modules:

  • The 1004MC
  • Market Analysis with Graphing
  • Comparable Selection and Map
  • Key Characteristic Histograms
  • Linear Regression Analysis (using individual components of value)

 

Getting Started

ACI Analytics can be launched right from ACI Report and is included with our Appraiser and Company Subscription Plans. To get started, create a new report and populate the subject’s address and basic information.

  1. In a report, go to eServices > Import Analysis Data > ACI Analytics. 
  2. At the Subject tab, confirm the Subject’s information and characteristics or click Get Subject Data.
  3. Select Listing Service or File.

Note: ACI Analytics includes two data source methods to import from. Users can select Listing Service or File.

  • DataTree powers ACI’s Listing Service. The Listing Service will allow you to adjust your Data Range, Proximity, and GLA range.
  • Users can also import their MLS data via a CSV or txt file from their preferred MLS provider.  After selecting File, load your CSV file and select your MLS Provider Map*. Instructions on creating custom MLS provider map can be found here.
  1. At the Data tab, you’ll be presented with the data table where you can exclude properties from your analysis.
  2. Click Next through each module or navigate using the tabs at the top.
  3. The 1004MC module displays the inventory totals from your MLS data throughout the last two years. Select the Overall Trend dropdown to complete the 1004MC section; this will fill in the appropriate fields in your report.
  4. The Market Graphs module illustrates the items on the 1004MC. These graphs can be excluded by deselecting the checkbox to the upper left of the graph image. Hover over graph elements to see the figures that they represent. You also can edit the graph title and comment areas within this window.
  5. In the Comp Selection module,  hover your cursor over a map marker to display property details. You can also click to jump to the appropriate row in the data table. From the data table, you can filter by sales and listings; you can limit your observations to the most recent by adjusting the date (by default, this is set to the past six months) and set an address to Observation or designate it as a comp.
  6. In the Property Characteristics module, you’ll find histograms of each key characteristic of value. Here you have the same abilities on this graph page as the others, like deselecting the checkbox to exclude a graph, hovering on a point to reveal the values, and the ability to provide additional comments.
  7. In the Regression Analysis module, ACI Analytics provides simple linear regression where each variable is plotted separately on a scatterplot. These graphs will include all the data from your import, except what you chose to exclude from the analysis. The regression graphs display indicated model slope values and the model fit % (r2). Just like in the other charts, you can include whichever ones you’d like and provide comments on the individual components.
  8. When you’re ready to import to ACI Report, click Import into ACI.

 

Custom MLS Service Provider Map

ACI Analytics includes maps from the majority of significant MLS providers, however, there may be instances where users need to create a custom map for importing from their chosen MLS provider. Please follow these instructions to set up your custom map.

 

Using ACI Sky™ Flood

by | Mar 19, 2024

ACI Sky™ Flood is a service provided by ACI that integrates directly with FEMA and allows you to generate flood determination for the subject property and import the property’s census tract information directly into a report. An active Sky Flood license or Appraiser Subscription is required.

 

Setting Default Map Providers

Selecting a default provider for location maps enables the toolbar icon to launch ACI Sky Maps with one click.

  1. Click Options > Environment> Mapping.
  2. Select Sky Flood from the Create Flood Maps Using drop-down list.
  3. Click OK to save the selection.

 

Generating a Flood Map

  1. You can generate a new location map in three ways
    • Click Tools > Mapping > Sky Flood
    • Click eServices > Flood Maps > Sky Flood
    • Click on the Flood Map icon on the toolbar.
  1. If prompted, enter the Web Product Permission Password (Company Password) and click OK.
  2. At the Flood Map screen, ACI will automatically adjust the map to fit your Subject. Hover your mouse over the Subject to make adjustments.
  3. After making ANY adjustment click Update Flood Determination.
  4. Click Accept Map to save the map to the current report.
  5. At the Import screen, select the Flood Map page and then OK to import the map.

Using ACI Sky™ Maps

by | Mar 19, 2024

ACI Sky™ Maps is a service provided by ACI that integrates directly with Google Maps and allows you to generate location maps for the subject property and corresponding comparable properties and import the finished map directly into a report. An active Sky Maps license or Appraiser Subscription is required.

Setting Default Map Providers

Selecting a default provider for location maps enables the toolbar icon to launch ACI Sky Maps with one click.

  1. Click Options > Environment> Mapping.
  2. Select Sky Maps from the Create Location Maps Using drop-down list.
  3. Click OK to save the selection.

 

Generating Location Maps

  1. You can generate a new location map in three ways
    • Click Tools > Mapping > Sky Maps
    • Click eServices > Location Maps > Sky Maps
    • Click on the Location Map icon on the toolbar.
  1. If prompted, enter the Web Product Permission Password (Company Password) and click OK.
  2. At the Location Map screen, ACI will automatically adjust the map to fit your Subject and Comparables. Hover your mouse over the Subject or Comparable to edit or to make adjustments.
  3. Click Accept Map to save the map to the current report, or the X to exit without saving the map.
  4. At the Import screen, select the Location Map page and then OK to import the map.

Delivering Files in ENV Format (AI Ready™/AppraisalPort)

by | Mar 19, 2024

About AI Ready™

Appraisal Institute Ready™ (AI Ready™) is an accreditation given to forms software packages by the Appraisal Institute, indicating that those forms comply with the Institute’s residential data storage and transmission standard. All software and web interfaces consistent with the AI standard can mark their software with the AI Ready logo, indicating they can read and write to the same XML format.

Before AI Ready™, which uses FNC’s Open Appraisal Document Interface (OADI) technology, industry consensus on a standard for appraisal transmission was non-existent. The OADI was designed as an interface specification for transferring proprietary appraisal data formats into the open AI XML standard and vice versa. The interface provides appraisal document software companies with a common application programming interface (API) for translating the data into the standard format.

Delivering a File in ENV Format

  1. Open a report in ACI.
  2. Click eServices > Send Report > AI Ready.
  3. Enter the Web Product Permission Password (Company Password) and click OK if prompted.
  4. The AI Ready ruleset will automatically run against the file to verify compliance.

Note: For the report to receive a Pass rating, errors must be corrected. Double-click a message to jump to the referenced field. After making corrections, re-submit the file for delivery. The report passes when no errors are found.

 

  1. In the next window, click Save Local Copy to save a copy of the ENV file. The file will open in another window to show you the completed ENV.
    • Save Local Copy of File(s) – this option will let you save a work folder containing the ENV, XML, and images from your report directly to your PC. The default save location is C:\Program Files (x86)\ACI32\XML Documents\.

To enable file extensions in File Explorer, follow these steps:

  1. Open File Explorer and go to the View tab.
  2. Check the box for “File Name Extensions” under the Show section.

To set a different default save location for your ENV files, do the following:

  1. When creating the ENV file, click on Browse in the initial window that appears.
  2. Choose the preferred location where you want to save the file.