How to Rate Property Condition on a BPO
Condition ratings drive value and reviewer questions. Here is how to rate consistently.
Latest
BPOs on 2-4 Unit Multi-Family Properties
Small multi-family properties sell on income as well as bricks. Here is how to value them on a BPO.
BPO Adjustments Explained: Accounting for Differences Between Comps
Adjustments bridge the gap between comps and the subject. Here is how to think about them clearly.
How to Handle New Construction in a BPO
New-build sales are tempting comps but they come with builder pricing and incentives. Here is how to use them.
BPOs on Manufactured and Mobile Homes
Manufactured homes are valued differently depending on land, foundation and age. Here is what to check.
How to Do a BPO on a Condo or Townhome
Attached homes are valued as much by the community as the unit. Here is how to approach them.
How to Complete a BPO on a Vacant Property
Vacant homes need extra attention to condition, security and marketing time. Here is what to check.
How BPO Agents Get Paid: Invoices, Timing and Tracking
Vendors pay on different schedules. Here is how to keep track of what you are owed.
The BPO Agent's Software Stack: Tools That Save Hours
Each tool shaves minutes off an order. Together they change your hourly rate.
Scaling a BPO Business: When to Hire Help
At some point you cannot drive, photograph and write every report yourself. Here is how agents scale.
What to Do When a Homeowner Confronts You During an Exterior BPO
Sooner or later someone asks why you are photographing their house. Here is what to say.
Safety Tips for Interior BPOs and Vacant Property Inspections
Vacant and distressed properties carry real risks. These habits keep you safe on site.
BPO Basics
E&O Insurance for BPO Agents: What Vendors Require
No current E&O certificate, no orders. Here is what vendors look for and how to stay compliant.
Productivity
Route Planning for BPO Agents: More Orders, Fewer Miles
Driving is the biggest hidden cost in BPO work. Here is how to cut it.
Productivity
Why Daily Limits Protect Your BPO Business
Winning too many orders is a real problem. A daily cap is the simplest fix.
Productivity
ZIP Code Strategy for BPO Coverage: How Wide Should You Go?
Your ZIP list decides how many broadcasts you see and how much you keep. Here is how to size it.
Productivity
Minimum Fee Strategy for BPOs: Setting a Floor That Pays
A fee floor protects your hourly rate. Here is how to work out yours.
BPO Basics
REO, Short Sale and Pre-Foreclosure BPOs: What Changes
Distressed-property BPOs ask different questions. Here is what changes for REO, short sale and pre-foreclosure orders.
BPO Basics
BPO vs AVM vs Desktop Valuation: When Lenders Use Each
Algorithms, desk reviews and boots on the ground. Here is where BPOs fit among today's valuation products.
BPO Basics
BPO vs CMA: What's the Difference?
Both use comps and both come from agents, but a CMA and a BPO serve very different customers.
Productivity
How to Handle BPO Revision Requests Without Hurting Your Score
Every agent gets revisions. What matters is how fast and how well you respond.
BPO Basics
BPOs in a Declining Market: Pricing and Comments That Hold Up
In a falling market, old sales mislead. Here is how to price and explain a BPO when values are moving down.
BPO Basics
How to Complete a BPO on a Rural Property
Rural BPOs break the usual comp rules. Here is how to handle distance, land and outbuildings without triggering revisions.
BPO Basics
List Price vs Sale Price in a BPO: How to Set Both
Two numbers, sometimes four. Here is how to set list and sale price so they agree with each other and your comps.