Real estate appraisers have to keep their work files for 5 years. The picture above is of the boxes of appraisal files I have to keep. I have not added anything to this stack for about 2 years and can not wait for the day when 100% of my appraisal files are electronic.
My appraisal office is going paperless and I only print when I have to. A paperless office is not only better for the environment but also saves money on paper and printer ink. But going paperless means I have significantly more files (appraisal files, PDF files, market research files, and excel files) to keep on my computer. I keep one copy of my appraisal files on my computer but but I also keep a backup copy of my files either on an external hard drive or in the could.
I am slowly moving toward keeping my most recent files in the cloud so I can access them when I am out of the office. The appraisal industry is changing rapidly and soon, if not already, appraisers will be need to be mobile. Being able to access, modify, and email appraisal files from the field will soon be a requirement for real estate appraisers.
Here are 10 websites to store your files online. Each of the websites listed below gives you at least 1 GB of storage for free. This allows you to try the service out to see how well it works and if it would be a good solution for you.
1) Window Live SkyDrive
Windows Live SkyDrive gives you 25 GB of free storage! You need a Windows Live ID or will have to sign up for one. You can make you folders public or just share folders with people in your network. You can access your files from anywhere.
2) Dropbox
I have been using Dropbox to backup some of my files for several years. It is easy to use and will backup your files automatically so you don’t have to worry about it. Dropbox will automatically sync your files when changes are detected. The basic account is free and gives you 2 GB of storage. You can access your Dropbox files from any web browser or you iPhone. You can also easily share your files.
3) Google Docs
Google Docs recently announced that you can upload and store any type of file in your Google Docs account. Google gives you the option to convert your documents and spreadsheets to the Google Docs format. You get 1 GB of storage for free and can upgrade your account. 20 GB will cost you $5 per year. If you buy 200 GB you get a free Eye-Fi card.
4) ZumoDrive
ZumoDrive allows you to backup 2 GB of files for free. ZumoDrive has several really nice features including the ability to backup your iTunes songs and stream the music from anywhere. I recently signed up for an account with ZumoDrive and the feature I love the most is that ZumoDrive mimics a standard dive on your computer and syncs the data to the cloud. ZumoDrive tricks your file system into thinking those cloud-stored files are local, and streams them from the cloud when you open or access them.
ZumoDrive can also sync folders on your hard drive to the cloud so you can access your files from any web browser or on your iPhone with their free iPhone app.
5) Syncplicity
Syncplicity gives you 2 GB of storage for free and can sync your files or folders across 2 computer with the free account. You can access your files from any web browner. Syncplicity allows you to share your files or folders as well. I have been using Syncplicity for more than 1 year now and love it. I use Syncplicity to backup some of my appraisal files and have been able to retrieve files from their website that I have accidentally deleted on my desktop.
6) Box.net
Box.net gives you 1 GB of storage for free. You can easily share your files and access your files with your mobile device. Box.net does have a free iPhone app. Box.net allows you to collaborate with others on stored files. One nice feature of Box.net is that it integrates third-party services such as Zoho, Google Gmail, eFax, EchoSign, and Twitter.
7) wuala
wuala.com gives you 1GB of storage for free and allows you to store, backup, and share you files. wuala backs up your files automatically and you can access your files from anywhere.
8) MediaMax
MediaMax IDrive gives you 2 GB of storage for free. IDrive can backup your documents automatically, backup databases from SQL Servers, and backup you contacts on you iPhone, BlackBerry, and Android phone.
9) MediaFire
MediaFire gives you unlimited free storage and allows you to upload 500 files at a time. Unlike some of the other websites mentioned today, MediaFire is geared more toward hosting and sharing your files online so you don’t have to worry about bandwidth. MediaFire allows you to easily manage your files and gives you statistics on your shared files.
10) Mozy
MozyHome gives you 2GB of free backup space. You can schedule your backups or make them automatic. I have never used Mozy to backup my files and could not tell from their website if you can access you files from a web browner or if the service is just for backup.
I currently use Dropbox, Google Docs, ZumoDrive, and Syncplicity to backup personal and work related files and folders.
If you are a real estate appraiser, how do you backup your appraisal files?
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Since I use WinTOTAL software, the easiest way to backup my files is with their vault system. It’s pretty much a rip-off at $149 for 500 files or $199 for 1000 files per year, but I just set it once and forget about it.
I also use CrashPlan (http://bit.ly/9PSA6B) for all the other important files on my computer. I’ll probably just end up using this once my vault subscription ends, I was just concerned about making sure all the right information was being saved in WinTOTAL when I first went paperless.
Once you get in the habit of doing it, it’s definitely the way to go. The company I used to work for had 3 huge file cabinets that nearly took up 1 side of a bedroom.
Ben, Thank you for the info about Crash Plan. It looks like a good service. Having digital appraisal files will be the norm pretty soon. Not only because paper appraisal files take up a lot of room but because files in a digital format are easier to retrieve.