Question 1

I'm not tech-savvy. Will I be able to figure this out?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Appraiser Machine is designed for appraisers - not tech experts. If you can send an email and use a website, you can use this. The interface is designed so you can create your first order and send an invoice right away — no training required.

Question 2

How long does it take to set up?

Accepted Answer

Most appraisers are up and running within 30 minutes. Create account (2 min), add company info (5 min), import clients (10 min), start working. No complex configuration required.

Question 3

What do I need to get started?

Accepted Answer

Just an email address. That's it. You won't be charged for 21 days. No special hardware. Works on any modern web browser on your phone, tablet, or computer.

Question 4

Can I import my existing data from Anow?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We have a dedicated Anow import wizard that reads Anow's CSV format natively - no reformatting needed. Bring over your order history, client database, invoice records, and historical data. We also support Mercury Network (MISMO XML) and any spreadsheet (CSV/Excel). See our full Switch from Anow guide at appraisermachine.com/switch-from-anow.

Question 5

Is there a learning curve?

Accepted Answer

Minimal. We designed the interface for appraisers who aren't tech experts. The layout is intuitive, common tasks take 2-3 clicks, and we have video tutorials for everything. The interface is cleaner and simpler than legacy appraisal software.

Question 6

Do I need a Stripe account for payments?

Accepted Answer

If you want to accept online payments (recommended - it's how you get paid in days instead of weeks), you'll need a free Stripe account. We'll walk you through setup. If you don't want online payments, you can still use all other features.

Question 7

I'm slammed right now. When would I even set this up?

Accepted Answer

We get it — that's the whole reason you need this. Setup takes about 15 minutes, and we walk you through everything. Import your existing clients and orders, customize your dashboard, and you're running. Most appraisers are fully operational within a week without disrupting their schedule.

Question 8

I already use ClickUp / spreadsheets / my own system. Why switch?

Accepted Answer

Those tools work, but they weren't built for appraisers. You're spending time managing systems instead of managing your business. Appraiser Machine consolidates orders, invoices, calendar, route planning, mileage tracking, and client data into one login — with AI built in. And if you have a VA, they can run the whole dashboard.

Question 9

Does it work on my phone?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Appraiser Machine is mobile-friendly - it works as well on your phone as your computer. Update orders from the property, upload inspection photos, check your schedule while eating lunch. No separate app to download.

Question 10

What integrations are available?

Accepted Answer

We integrate with Stripe (payments), QuickBooks Online (accounting), Next Level Pro (CRM), Google Calendar (scheduling), and Outlook Calendar (scheduling). More integrations are added regularly.

Question 11

Can I use it for commercial appraisals?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Appraiser Machine supports Lender, Private, and Commercial order types. Each type can have custom fields and workflows. The system is flexible enough for any appraisal work.

Question 12

Does the AI feature actually work?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our AI analytics answers questions about your business in plain English. Ask things like 'What was my revenue last quarter?' or 'Who are my top 5 clients by volume?' and get instant answers with charts. AM's AI use is aligned with USPAP Advisory Opinion 41 (March 2026) — see our Security page for the full data-handling story.

Question 13

Can my team members see everything?

Accepted Answer

You control exactly what each team member can see and do. We have 3 role levels (Account Admin, Appraiser, and Team Member) with 24 granular permissions across 7 categories. You decide who sees financials, who can edit orders, etc.

Question 14

Does Appraiser Machine handle contractor payments?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Team plan includes a full payroll dashboard - track the dual payment lifecycle, set auto-pay rules, run batch payments, and auto-compile 1099-NEC data at year-end. Contractors can see their own payment history through a self-service portal.

Question 15

What's the difference between Appraiser Machine and Next Level Pro?

Accepted Answer

They solve different problems. Appraiser Machine = Operations (orders, clients, invoicing, scheduling, routes). Next Level Pro = Marketing (lead capture, follow-up sequences, email campaigns). Think: Next Level Pro brings clients TO you, Appraiser Machine helps you SERVE them well. If you use both, they connect with one-click OAuth - contacts sync, order changes trigger automations, and form submissions create quotes.

Question 16

Does Appraiser Machine work with my report-writing software?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Appraiser Machine is not a report-writing replacement - it generates the content that goes into your reports. The Smart Copy button formats narratives specifically for your software (plain or rich text, depending on what your report software accepts). We also support MISMO XML export for structured data transfer. You keep using your report software exactly as before, but with AI-generated content that saves you 2-3 hours per report.

Question 17

Can clients pay for an appraisal through my website?

Accepted Answer

Yes — Instant Quote Forms is included with every Appraiser Machine subscription. Set your services and fees, define your service area by county or radius, and publish a branded form on your website. Prospects see an instant price, enter their info, and pay via Stripe (directly to your account). Payment auto-creates a live order in your dashboard with invoice marked paid. Set it up yourself with Quick Start in under 5 minutes, or book a concierge call and we'll build it for you. Three modes: form, AI Chat, or Hybrid.

Question 18

Can I bill for consulting, expert witness, or hourly work?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Appraiser Machine supports multiple fee types beyond standard appraisals. Create invoices with hourly rates for consulting work, flat fees for expert witness testimony, or any custom fee structure. All billing types flow through the same invoicing, payment tracking, and QuickBooks sync.

Question 19

How does the review request system work?

Accepted Answer

When you complete an order, Appraiser Machine prompts you to request a Google review from the client. One click sends a professional email with your Google Business Profile review link. If you skip it, no nagging - but your dashboard tracks your review request rate so you can see the impact over time. It's a simple way to build your online reputation without the awkwardness of asking in person.

Question 20

Can my VA manage the system for me?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Appraiser Machine is designed for delegation. Your VA can manage order statuses, handle invoicing, update the pipeline, and run follow-ups — all from the same dashboard. You focus on inspections and report writing. On the Team plan, you control exactly what each team member can see and do.

Question 21

What public-records data shows up on each order?

Accepted Answer

Every order is matched against a national public-records dataset. When the property address is in the dataset, the order detail surfaces owner of record, APN, year built, gross living area, lot size, and prior sales next to your user-entered fields, and the subject map outlines the actual parcel boundary over satellite imagery instead of dropping a single pin. Pre-Submit QC includes five auto-checked items in a Public Record Verification category — owner match, APN, legal description, lot size sanity, year built sanity. The data is cached per parcel and the source is named on the card with the lookup date so you can cite it directly in a workfile note. Coverage is high but not universal — new construction in recent subdivisions, manufactured housing, and unplatted lots can return no record, in which case the public-records card hides itself, the map shows a centered pin, and the QC items show N/A. No errors, no blank fields, just verify those parcels the way you always have.

Question 22

I only do 10-15 orders a month. Is this overkill?

Accepted Answer

Appraiser Machine scales to your workload — there's no minimum. At 10-15 orders, you'll use order tracking, invoicing, calendar, and mileage logging every day. AI Report Prep alone can save you significant time per report. Features like prospecting and team management are there when you need them, but they don't get in the way when you don't. At $99/month, one private client who pays through your quote form covers the subscription.

Question 23

How do permissions work for a 5+ person team?

Accepted Answer

Appraiser Machine has 3 role levels — Account Admin, Appraiser, and Team Member — with 26 individual permissions across 8 categories (orders, clients, invoices, reports, analytics, settings, billing, and system). You can also set custom permissions per user. For example, a contractor can view and update their assigned orders but can't see financials, other appraisers' work, or company settings.

Question 24

Can I set different fee schedules for different appraisers?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Each appraiser can have their own fee schedule — either a flat fee or a percentage commission. You can also set overrides by property type, by client, or both. For example, Appraiser A gets 60% commission on residential but a $500 flat fee for commercial, while Appraiser B gets a different rate entirely. The system calculates appraiser fees automatically when orders are completed.

Question 25

What's the data migration timeline for a firm with thousands of historical orders?

Accepted Answer

The import system processes records in batches and handles large datasets. Upload your Anow CSV or any spreadsheet, preview the mapped fields, and confirm. The system creates orders, clients, contacts, fee items, and invoices from your historical data. There's no row limit — firms have imported full order histories. You can also run multiple imports and roll back any import if needed.

Question 26

Do you have an API?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Appraiser Machine has a REST API with token-based authentication. You can generate API tokens from Settings with scoped access (read orders, read schedule, read invoices, read clients, and more). Rate-limited at 60 requests per minute. Usage is logged per token. Built for integrating with voice assistants, automation tools like Zapier or Make, Openclaw, and custom workflows.

Question 27

How much does it cost?

Accepted Answer

Solo Plan: $99/month (1 user, everything included). Team Plan: $199/month (unlimited users, team features). Both plans include all features, unlimited orders, unlimited clients, and unlimited invoices. No hidden fees.

Question 28

Will I be charged during the trial?

Accepted Answer

No. Your card is collected to start the trial, but you won't be charged until day 22. Cancel anytime before then — no questions asked. We want you to see the value before your first payment.

Question 29

What if I cancel?

Accepted Answer

Cancel anytime from your account settings. No cancellation fees. No guilt trips. Your subscription stays active through the end of your billing period. You have 90 days after that to export your data. We never hold your data hostage.

Question 30

I'm close to retirement. Is this worth it?

Accepted Answer

Maybe especially so. Organized systems make your practice more valuable if you sell. Or work smarter: fewer orders at higher fees with private clients. At $99/month, you need to save 2 hours/month to break even. The time savings add up quickly.

Question 31

Do you offer refunds?

Accepted Answer

30-day money-back guarantee on your first paid month. If you're not satisfied, contact us for a full refund. After 30 days, we don't offer partial refunds, but you can cancel anytime.

Question 32

Doesn't using AI for appraisal work violate USPAP?

Accepted Answer

No. In March 2026 the Appraisal Standards Board published USPAP Advisory Opinion 41, which directly addresses appraisers' responsibilities when using technology — including generative AI — in appraisal assignments. Appraiser Machine is built to operate within AO-41. We don't develop opinions of value, we don't sign reports, and we don't perform any step that requires your license. The AI features draft, suggest, and surface findings; you review and adopt them. Every AI call is logged per order with the model used, request ID, and redacted-field counts — so if an AMC, lender, or state board ever asks how AI was used on a specific assignment, you can answer in one click. AO-41 alignment doesn't require new disclosures to your E&O carrier either — it sits inside your existing USPAP obligations. Talk to your carrier about AI use in your practice generally, but AO-41 alignment alone doesn't change your coverage posture.

Question 33

What if my AMC restricts AI use on a specific assignment?

Accepted Answer

AO-41 explicitly contemplates this — some AMCs and lenders prohibit AI in their engagement letters. Appraiser Machine supports per-client (per-AMC) AI restrictions: mark the client as AI-restricted, and AM blocks every AI feature (QC judgment, AI Narratives, comp reasoning, photo analysis, Smart Pre-fill, Ask AI on the order, transcribe) for every order tied to them. Account admins can grant per-order overrides with a typed reason, and both the restriction and the override land on the AMC audit export. You hand the AMC the export, they see exactly what did or didn't reach AI on their assignment, and the conversation is over.

Question 34

What AI features are included?

Accepted Answer

Every plan includes: AI narrative generation for all 13 UAD 3.6 sections, AI photo classification with C/Q ratings, property data auto-population from public records, engagement letter requirement extraction, AI order import from PDF, voice dictation, Ask AI business questions, and AI daily business summaries — all included in your plan.

Question 35

Is Appraiser Machine ready for UAD 3.6?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our AI report prep tools were built specifically for UAD 3.6. The narrative generator knows all 13 sections and their requirements. The photo analyzer uses the official C1-C6 and Q1-Q6 rating definitions. Property data maps to all UAD 3.6 fields. We didn't retrofit an old system - we built for the new standard from the beginning.

Question 36

Do I still need my form-filling report software?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Appraiser Machine is not a report-writing platform. You still complete your final reports in your existing report software. Our AI generates the content that goes INTO your reports - narratives, photo classifications, property data. The Smart Copy button formats everything perfectly for your specific software.

Question 37

How is this different from ChatGPT?

Accepted Answer

ChatGPT doesn't know UAD 3.6 requirements, USPAP standards, or how appraisers write. Our AI is specifically trained on UAD section definitions, C/Q rating scales, and appraisal terminology. It writes in proper appraiser voice, uses standard UAD terminology, and flags uncertainties with [VERIFY] tags. It also has your order context - property address, type, county, report type - so narratives are specific, not generic.

Question 38

What about the November 2026 UAD 3.6 deadline?

Accepted Answer

UAD 3.6 becomes mandatory for all lender work on November 2, 2026. The new standard requires more detailed narratives, expanded data fields, and updated condition/quality ratings. Appraiser Machine's AI already works to the UAD 3.6 standard, so you can start building compliant habits now instead of scrambling at the deadline.

Question 39

Is my client data secure?

Accepted Answer

Yes. AES-256 encryption at rest, TLS 1.2+ in transit, daily encrypted backups, and row-level security that isolates each company's data at the database layer. Our hosting, database, authentication, and payment infrastructure are all SOC 2 Type II certified — Appraiser Machine itself isn't independently audited (most pre-launch SaaS skips that until a large lender requires it), but the layers underneath us all are. Net effect: your data is safer with us than in spreadsheets.

Question 40

Do you sell my data?

Accepted Answer

Never. We don't sell, rent, or trade your data. Period. Your appraisal data, client information, and business records are yours. We use your data only to provide the service.

Question 41

What happens to my data if I cancel?

Accepted Answer

Two windows. First 90 days: full access — sign back in, export everything, or re-subscribe and pick up where you left off. Day 90: account / billing / PII / operational data is deleted (user profile, payment records, integration tokens, AI usage logs, calendar events, route plans). Days 90 to 7 years: workfile-class data (orders, narratives, photos, comparable sales, contacts, requirements, invoices, workfile entries, pre-submit QC results) stays on our infrastructure in a frozen read-only state — recoverable on request via support@appraisermachine.com if you need a record for an audit, lawsuit, or board inquiry. Year 7: workfile-class data is permanently deleted. The 7-year window covers the USPAP Record Keeping Rule's 5-year minimum plus a 2-year post-litigation buffer, so a cancelled appraiser still meets USPAP retention by default. Backups are rotated 30 days after each deletion stage.

Question 42

Is the software USPAP compliant?

Accepted Answer

Strictly speaking, USPAP applies to appraisers — licensed individuals — not to software. There's no USPAP certification body for software platforms. What Appraiser Machine does is help you meet your USPAP obligations: row-level security and role-based access support the Ethics Rule's confidentiality requirement; per-order workfile storage, file uploads, and a full audit trail support the Record Keeping Rule. While you're an active customer, we retain your data indefinitely; if you cancel, workfile-class data (orders, narratives, photos, comparable sales, contacts, requirements, invoices, workfile entries, pre-submit QC results) is preserved on our infrastructure for 7 years post-cancellation — covering USPAP's 5-year minimum plus a 2-year post-litigation buffer. Recoverable on request via support@appraisermachine.com. Bottom line: the software is built for USPAP workflow, and the 7-year workfile retention means a cancelled appraiser still meets USPAP retention by default.

Question 43

What if something happens to the company? Is my data safe?

Accepted Answer

Yes. First, your data is exportable at any time — orders, clients, invoices, and files. Second, the platform runs on independent, enterprise-grade cloud providers for database, hosting, payments, and authentication — each SOC 2 Type II certified with their own redundancy and support teams. It's not servers in someone's garage. Third, we maintain formal business continuity planning. Your data and your operations are protected regardless of what happens to any individual.

Question 44

Is my report data used to train AI models?

Accepted Answer

No. Both AI providers we use (Anthropic Claude and Google Gemini) contractually prohibit using customer API inputs or outputs to train or improve their models. Default for every API customer, not an upgrade. Your reports, your notes, anything generated from them — never become training material.

Question 45

What borrower information actually gets sent to AI?

Accepted Answer

Borrower name, SSN, loan number, case number, and identifying contact info are tokenized before transmission — replaced with opaque labels like [[BORROWER_NAME_1]] on our server. The AI works with the labels, then our server substitutes the real values back in before they reach your screen. AI never sees the actual identifying values. Property addresses are sent for QC and property-data lookup work because they're operational, but everything else identifying is stripped. Property data lookup specifically uses Google Gemini with just the address — same as typing it into Zillow. Full detail at /subprocessors and in the AI Data Handling guide inside the app.

Question 46

Can I disable AI features entirely?

Accepted Answer

Yes — three levels of control. Per-company: account admins can disable AI Judgment Analysis (Step 2 of QC review) for the whole company at Settings → Company. Local deterministic QC (Step 1) continues to run regardless — you still get borrower name / lender / address / math / presence cross-checks, just without the language-judgment layer. Per-client (per-AMC): mark a client as AI-restricted and every AI feature is blocked on every order tied to that client; account admins can override per-order with a typed reason, all logged for AMC audit. Per-order: you don't have to invoke AI on any specific file. Nothing in the workflow forces AI use.

Question 47

How long does the AI provider keep my data?

Accepted Answer

Up to 30 days under standard API terms, then deleted. We're pursuing Zero Data Retention (ZDR) status with Anthropic for an enterprise-tier upgrade where no data is persisted on Anthropic's servers after the request completes. Will be available when an enterprise prospect requires it.

Question 48

Can my AMC get an audit log of every AI interaction on a specific order?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Account admins can request an AI audit export via support@appraisermachine.com. The export shows model used, request ID, latency, redacted-field counts, and timestamps for every AI call on that order — formatted for non-engineer review. The log captures counts and identifiers only, never raw prompt content, raw response content, or any PII value. Typical turnaround: same business day.

Question 49

What if I need help?

Accepted Answer

Email support@appraisermachine.com. We respond within 24 hours (usually much faster). Team plan users get priority support. We also have video tutorials and written guides for every feature.

Question 50

Do real people answer support questions?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Real people who understand appraisal work. We've spent over a decade helping appraisers grow their businesses, so we understand your questions because we've had the same ones.

Question 51

Can I try it before I commit?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. 21-day free trial with full access to every feature. Create real orders, send real invoices, try it on your phone. You won't be charged until the trial ends. Cancel anytime.

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