by Josh Hook | Dec 5, 2023 | Press Release
Santa Ana, Calif., Dec. 5, 2023 — ACI™, a leading provider of workflow solutions for the valuation industry for nearly 40 years and a member of the First American (NYSE: FAF) family of companies, today introduced SureStep® mobile, the most comprehensive appraisal inspection solution in the market. Through the applications and tools housed within ACI SureStep mobile, appraisers can conduct a full inspection onsite from their smartphone or tablet, including capturing photos, completing sketches, collecting property data, and analyzing research, which helps eliminate paperwork and manual data entry. Available for both iOS and Android devices, SureStep mobile also helps appraisers more effectively manage calendars and active orders by displaying all assignments and their status in one place and providing driving directions to appointments with a single touch.
“SureStep mobile helps appraisers stay in the field longer, providing the information needed to scope and quote new assignments from anywhere, so they can complete more appraisals in a day,” said Jeremy Staudenmaier, general manager at ACI. “Efficient data collection during an inspection is vital and appraisers that can conduct their business in the field gain an advantage over their competition. SureStep mobile is more than a data collection application, it’s a digital appraisal assistant designed to eliminate many of the manual tasks in the appraisal process, reducing inspection times while improving reliability.”
With SureStep mobile, appraisers automatically receive First American’s comprehensive public records data for the subject property, along with aerial and street-view imagery. In addition, all completed inspections are seamlessly imported directly into ACI’s flagship software, ACI Report™ to further reduce the need for manual data entry. Work files are thoroughly documented within SureStep mobile to comply with regulatory requirements through complete digital inspection reporting as well.
SureStep mobile is the latest innovative technology from ACI, reflecting the company’s commitment to help appraisers remain at the forefront of the digital transformation of the appraisal profession. SureStep mobile is the first release of a broader set of foundational ACI products designed to redefine how appraisers leverage technology and engage with their customers.
For additional information about ACI and SureStep mobile, visit www.aciweb.com.
About ACI
ACI specializes in creating innovative workflow solutions for real estate appraisers, appraisal management companies and financial institutions. Backed by analysis-driven tools and industry expertise, ACI’s cloud-based and enterprise software applications empower stakeholders with a streamlined approach to managing forms, rules and data, while operating with audit-ready transparency and compliance. Through visionary leadership and dedication to client service, ACI has served as a reliable and driving force in the valuation industry for nearly 40 years. ACI is a member of the First American (NYSE: FAF) family of companies. For more information, visit www.aciweb.com.
About First American
First American Financial Corporation (NYSE: FAF) is a premier provider of title, settlement and risk solutions for real estate transactions. With its combination of financial strength and stability built over more than 130 years, innovative proprietary technologies, and unmatched data assets, the company is leading the digital transformation of its industry. First American also provides data products to the title industry and other third parties; valuation products and services; mortgage subservicing; home warranty products; banking, trust and wealth management services; and other related products and services. With total revenue of $7.6 billion in 2022, the company offers its products and services directly and through its agents throughout the United States and abroad. In 2023, First American was named one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For by Great Place to Work® and Fortune Magazine for the eighth consecutive year and was named one of the 100 Best Workplaces for Innovators by Fast Company. More information about the company can be found at www.firstam.com.
by Josh Hook | Nov 15, 2023 | ACI Bulletins
Introducing SureStep® mobile, ACI’s comprehensive appraisal inspection solution for both iOS and Android devices. Users can conduct research, manage appraisal assignments, and collect property data on a smartphone or tablet, significantly reducing inspection times and paperwork. Minimize manual data entry by seamlessly importing complete inspections directly into ACI Report™. Best of all, SureStep mobile is included with your current ACI membership!*
SureStep® mobile is more than a data collection app, it’s a digital assistant.
SureStep mobile enables appraisers to:
- Create and manage assignments on the go – manage your calendars and active orders, and even get driving directions to appointments with a simple touch.
- Expedite onsite inspections by auto-populating public record data and enables appraisers to capture data, images, notes, and sketch a floorplan while in the field.
- Thoroughly document work files and remain in compliance with regulatory requirements with complete digital inspection reporting.
Take the next step to appraisal modernization.
Download SureStep mobile to your device and run an ACI WebUpdate today!
*An active ACI membership is required for access and updates. Learn about our ACI membership options
by Josh Hook | Jul 7, 2023 | Newsletters
Our appraisers are among the hardest working in the industry. We regularly share tips and best practice ideas to help. Follow us on LinkedIn to stay up-to-date on the latest ACI announcements, tips & tricks, industry news & insights, events, and more.
UAD & Forms Redesign
ACI is fully committed to the new UAD & Forms Redesign project and ensuring that our customers are not just covered, but actually have the best software in the business with tools to perform high-quality appraisals with efficiency and proficiency.
What does this mean? The technical specifications released by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac can be broken down into two primary categories. One category is all about the Data Structure, both technically in the MISMO XML file, and practically or visually in the report. The other category is all about the actual report, an all New URAR.
Here are a few key points to keep in mind about the Data Structure:
1) The new UAD is designed to minimize the amount of explanation or commentary required in an appraisal report by adding and updating individual data elements into discrete data points that can be more easily consumed by machines and models. The benefit is that appraisers can spend less time writing lengthy commentary to describe factual and objective characteristics, or factors. Additionally, AMCs and underwriters spend less time looking at that commentary or trying to find the specific comment they’re looking for. Theoretically, this should help reduce the quantity of revision requests appraisers get from their clients and improve turn-times underwriting an appraisal. All of this translates into faster origination speeds for consumers.
2) The improved data structure also allows technology companies like ACI to leverage more third-party data sources to help appraisers populate these new discrete data elements more completely and better enable automation of the data gathering. This allows appraisers to spend less time hunting for the data they need and more time analyzing that data to help support a credible opinion of value for their clients.
Extended Live Chat Hours
Day or night, you can rely on our OneCall team to assist with all your sales and technical needs. You can now chat with a live OneCall agent Monday through Friday, 8am ET to 12am ET, excluding holidays. Our Chat with an Expert feature is found on the bottom right of our website.
Did you know you can view multiple pages and even reports at the same time? When in an opened report, go to the components list on the left-hand side. Right-click on the form icon and navigate to: New View > Multi-monitor. Your report will pop up in another window and you can drag to another monitor.
Join ACI in Las Vegas August 7-9 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Valuation Expo! Meet the ACI team at Booth 31 to learn about SureStep® mobile and play in the Valuation Expo Open. We are excited to share these summer savings! Receive $50 off registration with discount code: ACI2023. Register here. Offer ends July 15th.
About Me: In the 37 years with ACI, I have worked on the full spread of software that ACI has produced over the years, DOS desktop software using floppy disks, the implementation of the early digital cameras, the current Windows software, ZooQueue, SPOT PDF report file translations, and Sky Web software. I have, until recently, been the primary developer of the Review Master rules and Forms. The technology growth from when I started at ACI has been astounding and at times overwhelming. When I started university, the technology was large business centers and main frames; Many assignments were done on punch cards. By the time I graduated, the IBM PC was just introduced and personal computers took off like wild fire. I have loved being a programmer my entire career. There is never a boring day, there are always new features and products to be developed, and new technologies to be discovered, analyzed and put into use.
I was born in the South Side of Chicago, and grew up in Southwest Michigan and married my wife who I have known since elementary school. I asked her out at her 16th birthday party and she laughed in embarrassment. I asked her again after I ran into her after college, and she happily accepted. We have three children who are all fine young adults, and our first grand-child who is now 7 months old.
Movies: Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Avatar, Inception, and always ready to watch a comedy, action, adventure.
TV: Ted Lasso, and veterinarian shows like Dr. Pol, college sports. In the past I was into Star Trek, CIS, NCIS, and NASCAR
Books: Early in my life – Steinbeck and Hemingway. In my adult life – science fiction and fantasy, especially with dragons.
Hobbies: Motorcycling, Fishing, Woodworking
Sports: I am a life time Chicago Cubs fan (to the dismay of all my south side relatives). I am also a University of Florida sports fan – Go Gators!
Music: 70’s and 80’s rock. I’m particularly fond of Pink Floyd and Queen.
Heroes: Bill Gates, Steve Wozniak, Steve Jobs
Food: A charcoal/wood grilled med-rare steak topped with sauteed mushrooms, with a baked potato and salad.
Measurement of Success: A happy, healthy and thriving family.
