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Working with valuations

The valuation editor

The valuation editor is a popup or a page that contains a collection of tabs. Each tab contains one or more panels that in turn contain either edit fields, controls or information displays. The tabs in the valuation editor are:

  • Details
  • File
  • Summary
  • Risk
  • Value
  • Land
  • Building
  • Improvements
  • Sales Evidence
  • Comments
  • Attachments
  • Notes
  • Report
  • Other jobs
  • Event log

Each of these tabs will be discussed in more detail below.

If enabled for your company, there may be a workflow panel on the right that you can expand.

Editor tools

The valuation editor has some tools at the top of the page:

  • Google MapsGoogle Maps button - click to open a new tab and view the property in Google Maps.
  • Google SearchGoogle Search button - click to open a new tab and search for the property's addressin Google.
  • Six MapsSix Maps button - click to open a new tab and view the property in SIX Maps.
  • Click the Actions button to show a popup menu with the following options:
    • Preview job report - opens a PDF in a new tab with an API PropertyPRO pro forma report
    • Print job summary - opens a PDF in a new tab showing a job sheet
    • Import job data - opens a popup that will let you find a previous job from which you can import information.
    • Send email - opens a popup that will let you send an email to people associated with the job. See Send email for more information
    • Sign off on job - indicates that you've approved the job to be marked as complete. Makes your signature available for use in reports made with the long form editor.
  • Click the Save button to save any changes you've made to the job. If there is something that prevents the job from being saved, the system will pop up a message to let you know what's missing.

Details

Valuation details

Valuation details
FieldDescription
Job nameThe name of the job. If entered, this will be displayed in the valuation table, and in the valuation column view on the job card instead of the address.
AssigneeThe user to whom this job is assigned. This user is distinct from the responsible and supervising valuers.
Job refThe number identifying the job. It shows up in searches and is used as the internal reference number.
Requested byThe name of the person requesting the job.
ValEx reference numberSelf-explanatory.
Requestor phone no.Contact number for the person requesting the job.
Inspection dateThe date the valuer inspected the property. This field and the inspection time show up on reports.
Inspection timeThe time the valuer inspected the property.
Report startedThis field is purely documentary.
Entered into valuer work logThis field is purely documentary.
Branch nameThe branch with which the job is associated. The branch name shows up in searches, the valuation table and column views, and is also associated with bank accounts for invoicing.
Inspection delay reasonThis field is purely documentary.
Sign job (button)Clicking this button will show a popup asking you to confirm that the job is to be signed.

Internal notes

Internal notes

The internal notes entered here are searchable, and will also show up on the job summary report.

Notifications/memos

Notifications and memos

Click the + New button to add a new notification or memo. The system will show you this popup:

Notifications and memos
FieldDescription
DescriptionThe text you want to keep as the notification or memo.
DateThe date you want to keep as the notification date. This defaults to today's date.
TimeThe time you want to keep as the notification time. This defaults to the current time.

Click Cancel to close the popup without keeping the note; click Save to add the note to the list.

Address

Address

The address panel has the following buttons available for mapping:

  • Google MapsGoogle Maps button - click to open a new tab and view the property in Google Maps.
  • Google SearchGoogle Search button - click to open a new tab and search for the property's addressin Google.
  • Six MapsSix Maps button - click to open a new tab and view the property in SIX Maps.

There is also a SearchSearch button. Click this button to search for an address. You'll see a popup into which you can type an address. As you type, the system will show you a list of matching address. Choose one to make it this job's address.

Step 1Step 2Step 3
Address suggestions
Address loading
Address populated

After choosing the address information above, the address panel will look like this:

Address

The lookup will automatically fill in the address, the property name, the suburb, state, postcode, LGA, legal description and area.

Alternatively, you can enter all of these values yourself.

Invoices

Invoices
FieldDescription
Report fee (ex. GST)The total fee for this valuation, excluding GST.

Click Auto invoice to create a new invoice for the job's client to the value of the report fee above.

Click + Add invoice to create an invoice for the job. When you click this button, you'll see this popup:

Invoices

Fields for the invoice editor

FieldDescription
Invoice numberThe invoice number for this invoice. The system will automatically generate the invoice number from the job number, and will append a slash and a sequence number if this is not the first invoice.
Invoice dateThe date the invoice is created. The system will automatically populate this field with today's date.
Due dateThe date the invoice is due. The system will automatically set this based on Settings | System | Company | Invoice payment period (which defaults to 14 days when the company is first set up).
Bill to recipientThe client to the invoice should be presented.
Bill to first nameThe first name of the client's contact.
Bill to last nameThe last name of the client's contact.
Bill to postal addressThe client's postal address.
Pay to bank accountThis field is a dropdown from which you can select the bank account into which the payment should be paid. This bank account's information will be displayed on the invoice.
Invoice item descriptionDefaults to Valuation fee, but editable by the user.
Invoice item amount (ex. GST)The user can enter the invoice amount here, and this amount may be less than the total outstanding report fee. The user can enter a percentage including % to have the field set to that percentage of the report fee. For example, if the report fee is $800, entering 50% and leaving the field will have the invoice fee changed to $400.
Invoice item GSTIf the box is ticked, the system will set this field to 10% of the value in the Amount field. If the box is not ticked, the field will be set to zero. Users can't change the value in this field.

Client details

Default viewExpanded view
Client (default)
Client (expanded)
FieldDescription
ClientA dropdown from which you can choose the client. Start typing the name of the client or any of the client's contacts, and you'll see client names you can choose from the dropdown. The items in the dropdown include the client company name and the individual contacts' names. If the client is not in the system, you can click the Add clientAdd client button (see below). Click ClearClear to remove the client.
Contact business namePopulated by the system if you choose a known client.
Contact first namePopulated by the system if you choose a known client.
Contact last namePopulated by the system if you choose a known client.
Contact email addressPopulated by the system if you choose a known client.
Contact phone numberPopulated by the system if you choose a known client.
Contact secondary phonePopulated by the system if you choose a known client.
SolicitorTick this box if the client is represented by a solicitor.
Solicitor business namePopulated by the system if you choose a known client who has a solicitor.
Solicitor first namePopulated by the system if you choose a known client who has a solicitor.
Solicitor last namePopulated by the system if you choose a known client who has a solicitor.
Solicitor email addressPopulated by the system if you choose a known client who has a solicitor.
Solicitor phone numberPopulated by the system if you choose a known client who has a solicitor.
Solicitor secondary phonePopulated by the system if you choose a known client who has a solicitor.
Office phonePopulated by the system if you choose a known client.
FaxPopulated by the system if you choose a known client.
Postal addressPopulated by the system if you choose a known client.
Referral typePopulated by the system if you choose a known client.
Client typePopulated by the system if you choose a known client.
NotesPopulated by the system if you choose a known client.
BorrowerIf your client is a lender requesting a valuation for a property for which they're considering extending a loan, you can enter the name of the borrower here.
Loan reference numberIf your client is a lender requesting a valuation for a property for which they're considering extending a loan, you can enter the loan reference number here.

If the client is not in the list, you'll have to add it. Click the Add clientAdd client button and add the new client as described in Adding contacts.

File

Valuation information

Default viewWith additional notes
Valuation information
Valuation information
FieldDescription
Job statusChoose the job status from the dropdown. The list of job statuses is in Settings | Lists | Job statuses. You can also change the job status by dragging it to a different column in the column view.
Valuation dateThis is the date the valuation was made. It is searchable, and will be included in reports.
ValuationThis is the dollar value of the property. It is the same value as Value | Market value. If you change this value, the other will be changed immediately to keep it in sync. The market value in words will also be updated.
ValuerChoose the valuer making the valuation from this dropdown.
Supervising valuerIf there is a senior valuer supervising another valuer, the supervisor's name can be chosen from this dropdown.
CategoryChoose the category from this dropdown. The list of categories is in Settings | Lists | Job types.
Data entryThis is a date field that you can use to record when data was first entered into this or another system.
SecuritisedThis is not searchable, and only displayed in long form reports if added to a template.
Add/edit additional notes & qualificationsFlip this switch to expand the panel to show the addition notes & qualifications field.
Additional notes & qualificationsEnter addition notes and qualifications that are to be included in the report.

Property details

Property details
FieldDescription
Sale dateThe date the subject property was sold (if applicable).
Contract priceThe subject property's price (if applicable).
Customer EMVThe customer's estimate of property's market value (if applicable).
Property typeChoose the property type from the dropdown. The list of property types is in Settings | Lists | Property types.
Map referenceEnter a map reference if required.
Contact for accessThe name of the person to contact for gaining access to the property.
Phone (access)The phone number to call to gain access to the property.
Occupier/tenantThe name of the person or organisation current occupying the property (if applicable).
Phone (tenant)The phone number of the person or organisation occupying the property.
Unfurnished rent PWWeekly rent for the property.
Lease expiry dateLease expiry date (if applicable).
Special instructionsAny special instructions about the valuation or gaining access to the property.

Dates

Dates
FieldDescription
Date inThe date the valuation was received and added to the system.
Date dueThe date the valuation is due to be delivered (originally).
Delay advisedIf there has been a delay, this is the date the delay was advised.
Now dueThe date that the valuation is due after a delay advice.
Date outThe date the valuation is sent out.

Valuation type

Valuation type
FieldDescription
Report typeChoose the report type from the dropdown. The list of report types is in Settings | Lists | Report types.
Report purposeChoose the report type from the dropdown. The list of report types is in Settings | Lists | Valuation purposes.
InspectionChoose one of Internal and external, Internal, or External.
ClassificationThis is not searchable, and only displayed in long form reports if added to a template.
Report focusThis is not searchable, and only displayed in long form reports if added to a template.
Title typeThis is not searchable, and only displayed in long form reports if added to a template.

Summary

Other details

ClosedExpanded
Other details (default)
Other details (expanded)
FieldDescription
Legal description / title detailsThe legal description from the address will appear here. If you change this value, it will be reflected in the address's legal description field.
Site dimensionsEnter the site dimensions here.
MarketabilityEnter comments about the marketability of the property here.
Essential repairsNote any essential repairs in this field.
Valuer allowanceIf there has been any allowance applied to the property by valuer, it should be noted here.
Heritage issues knownSwitch this on to indicate that there are known heritage issues.
Heritage issuesIf there are heritage issues, record them in this field.
Environmental issues knownSwitch this on to indicate that there are known environmental issues.
Environmental issuesIf there are environmental issues, record them in this field.
Encumbrances/restraints knownSwitch this on to indicate that there are known encumbrances and/or restraints.
Encumbrances/restraintsIf there are encumbrances and/or restraints, record them in this field.

Risk

Property / market risk rating

Property and market risk rating

For each category, click on a number representing the risk related to that category. If the risk is above "3" you will have the opportunity to comment on that risk in the adjacent panel.

Risk comments

Risk comments

These fields only appear if there is a corresponding risk rating of "3" or greater in the Property / market risk rating panel.

Value

Valuation summary

Valuation summary
FieldDescription
Interest valuedChoose the interest valued from the dropdown. The list of interests valued is in Settings | Lists | Interests valued.
Value componentChoose either Existing property or As if complete from the dropdown.
Land valueEnter the land value here.
Improvements / constructionEnter the value of any improvements here.
Market valueThis value will automatically be set to the sum of the land value and the improvements, but you're able to enter a different value into this field if you want.
Market value in wordsThis is a read-only field, with the market value in words.

Valuation details

Valuation details
FieldDescription
Documents to sightSwitch this on if there are documents that should be sighted.
DocumentsIf there are documents to sight, you can choose them from the dropdown. The list of documents is in Settings | Lists | Document types.
RecommendationFor PropertyPRO reports. The decision as to the suitability of security for a lending transaction and/or a mortgage insurance transaction is a commercial decision for the lender-client/LMI.
Suitable for rentSwitch this on if the property is suitable for rent. If it's switched off, the Rental value unfurnished and Rental period fields will be disabled.
Rental value unfurnishedRental income over the period selected in the next field.
Rental periodSelect one of weekly, fortnightly or monthly.
Replacement insuranceCost of replacement insurance.
Valuation dateThe date the valuation was made.

Land

Land details

Land details
FieldDescription
Property identificationChoose the identification methods (you can choose more than one) used from the dropdown. The list of documents is in Settings | Lists | Property identification methods.
Title search sightedSwitch this on to indicate that the title search has been conducted.
Zoning effectEnter comments about the effect the zoning has on the property's value.
LocationEnter comments about the location.
NeighbourhoodEnter comments about the neighbourhood.
Site description & accessEnter comments about the site and how access is gained.
ServicesEnter comments about what services are available to the property.

Building

Occupancies

Building occupancies

Click the Add occupancyAdd occupancy button to add a new occupancy to the valuation.

Click anywhere in a row to select the occupancy and view its details in the Occupancy details panel (below).

Click the DeleteDelete button to remove an occupancy from the valuation.

Occupancy details

Building occupancies
FieldDescription
Year to be erected
Year built
Built about
The prompt for this field is determined by whether the report type is flagged as "TBE", and whether the Year is exact switch is on.
Year is exactTurning this on sets the prompt for the field above to "Year built" instead of "Built about".
TBEThis switch is only visible if the report type is flagged as "TBE".
Style leveledChoose a single item from this dropdown. The list of items is in Settings | Lists | Levels.
Style attachedChoose a single item from this dropdown. The list of items is in Settings | Lists | Attachment types.
Street appealChoose a single item from this dropdown. The list of items is in Settings | Lists | Street appeals.
Internal conditionChoose a single item from this dropdown. The list of items is in Settings | Lists | Internal conditions.
External conditionChoose a single item from this dropdown. The list of items is in Settings | Lists | External conditions.
Main flooringChoose a single item from this dropdown. The list of items is in Settings | Lists | Floor types.
Window framesChoose one or more items from this dropdown. The list of items is in Settings | Lists | Windows.
Has poolTick the box if the property has a pool.
RoofChoose a single item from this dropdown. The list of items is in Settings | Lists | Roof types.
Main wallsChoose a single item from this dropdown. The list of items is in Settings | Lists | Walls.
Main interior liningsChoose one or more items from this dropdown. The list of items is in Settings | Lists | Interior linings.
Notes about past additionsEnter notes about past editions here; this is a free text box.
Extra notes about the occupancyEnter extra notes about the occupancy here; this is a free text box.
BedroomsNumber of bedrooms.
BathroomsNumber of bathrooms.
PlusMore information here about the accommodation; this is a free text box.
Car accommodationThe number of car spaces. This doesn't have to be a number.
Car accommodation typeChoose a single item from this dropdown. The list of items is in Settings | Lists | Car accommodation.
Car accommodation areaEnter the amount of car space in m².
Living areasEnter the amount of living area in m².
Outdoor areasEnter the amount of outdoor area in m².
Other areasEnter the amount of other areas in m².
Interior layoutChoose one or more items from this dropdown. The list of items is in Settings | Lists | Internal layouts.
Fixtures & fittingsChoose one or more items from this dropdown. The list of items is in Settings | Lists | Fixtures and fittings.

Ancillary

Ancillary improvements
FieldDescription
Significant ancillaryNotes about significant ancillary occupancies.
Secondary ancillaryNotes about secondary ancillary occupancies.

Sales Evidence

Supporting sales

Supporting sales

To add one or more supporting sales, click the Add supporting salesAdd supporting sales button. The system will show you a popup allowing you to select sales to use as supporting sales.

Without filterWith filter
Select sales without filter
Select sales with filter showing

Click the FilterFilter button to hide or show the extended filters.

Type into the Filter results by address to restrict the visible sales to those whose addresses contain the text you've typed. It doesn't matter whether you type in upper or lower case.

Tick the boxes next to the sales you want to include as supporting sales in this valuation.

Click Cancel to close the popup without keeping any changes.

Click Enter manually to start the process of manually entering a supporting sale (described below).

Click Done to apply your selections to the valuation.

info

There are two types of sales you have access to: sales that are taken from the Valuer General's website; and sales that you (or someone in your organisation) has analysed. In this case, an "analysed" sale is a sale that has been used as a supporting sale earlier, or one that has been independently analysed in the Sales module.

Sales from the VG will have the NSW logo next to them; sales you've analysed will have your company's logo next to them.

Manually entering supporting sales

If you click the Enter manually button on the Add supporting sales popup above, you'll be able to enter details about the sale yourself.

If you have enabled the AddressFinder API, you'll be able to type an address into this popup:

Create supporting sale

You'll see a list of matching addresses in a dropdown below the entry field, and you'll be able to choose an address from that list. When you're satisfied, click the Search button. Assuming you've found a property, you'll get this popup:

Create supporting sale
FieldDescription
AddressAs for Details | Address above.
Contract dateThe date contracts were exchanged.
Settlement dateThe date the sale was settled (optional).
PriceThe sale price.
ConfirmedTick this box if you want to mark the sale as a confirmed sale.
PurchaserThe purchaser(s). Click the EllipsisEllipsis icon to open a popup into which you can enter one or more purchasers (one per line).
VendorThe vendor(s). Click the EllipsisEllipsis icon to open a popup into which you can enter one or more vendors (one per line).
List priceThe price that the sale was listed at (optional).
List dateThe date the property was listed (optional).
Sale typeChoose a single sale type from this dropdown. The list of items is in Settings | Lists | Sale types.
Sale commentaryEnter any relevant commentary about the sale. This information will be included in reports.
Internal notesEnter any internal notes about the sale. This information won't be included in reports.
AttachmentsDrag and drop images or other documents on to this panel to attach them to this sale.

Supporting sale details

Supporting sale details

Click Edit source sale to open the sale editor.

Click Import comment to import the comment from the analysed sale to the brief comments above the button.

Click Save comments to sale to send a copy of the brief comments to the analysed sale.

FieldDescription
Brief commentsEnter comments about the property to be included in the report for this sale.
Comparison to subjectEnter a comparison to the property being valued.

Prior sale(s) of subject property (last 3 years)

Prior sales of subject property

Click the Add prior saleAdd prior sale button to add a new prior sale to the valuation.

Click Load prior sales to load the prior sales for this property. The system will only find sales with contract dates within the three years prior to the valuation date, so you must make sure you've already set the valuation date.

Click Clear all to clear the existing list of prior sales.

If you have any prior sales, click the EditEdit button to edit the information about the prior sale (see below).

If you have any prior sales, click the DeleteDelete button to remove the prior sale from the valuation.

Creating / editing prior sales

New prior saleEdit prior sale
New prior sale
Edit prior sale
FieldDescription
Contract dateDate on which the property sold.
PricePrice for which the property sold.
Dealing numberOptional value containing the VG's dealing number. If the prior sale has been pulled from the VG's sale data, this field will be set. You're not required to enter it if you're adding your own sale information.

Current/proposed sale of property

If the subject property has sold or is currently for sale, you can enter information about the sale in this panel.

Proposed sale of property
FieldDescription
Contract priceThe price for which the subject property sold.
Contract dateThe contract date for the sale of this property.
CommentEnter any pertinent information about the sale here.
Market activity levelChoose a single market activity level from this dropdown. The list of items is in Settings | Lists | Market activity levels.
Selling period greater than 6 monthsSwitch this on if the sale was on the market for a more than six months.
Full copy of Contract of Sale sightedChoose Yes, No or N/A.
Reason Contract of Sale wasn't sightedEnter the reason for which the Contract of Sale was not seen by the valuer. This field is hidden if the above field is Yes.
Sale in line with the local marketChoose Yes, No or N/A.

Comments

This panel provides space for you to provide additional commentary about the property and the valuation. This information will be included in the pro forma reports, and can be included in custom reports.

Additional comments

Attachments

Attachments are important enough to contain their own section in this help system, so please see Attachment panels for more information.

Attachments
warning

When you upload attachments, they're not immediately saved with the job. You must save the job to make the attachments "stick" to the job.

Notes

Notes & qualifications

This panel provides space for you to provide additional commentary about the property and the valuation. This information will be included in the pro forma reports, and can be included in custom reports.

Notes and qualifications

Lender specific information

This panel provides space for you to provide additional commentary about the property and the valuation. This information will be included in the pro forma reports, and can be included in custom reports.

Lender specific information
cast_for_education

The Details | Client | Other client details panel has a Notes field at the bottom. If there is some commentary there, the icon to the right of the field will be enabled, and you'll be able to click the icon to send that commentary to this field.

Other information

Other information
FieldDescription
Mark as an Amended ReportIf this box is ticked, the report will be marked as amended. If the proforma report is printed, it will have "AMENDED REPORT" in the header, and custom reports can have this rendered as Yes or No.

Report

If you are using the pro forma report (or haven't uploaded a report yet), you'll see this panel on the Report tab.

No report


Report (API)

Click the Finalise button to mark the report as finalised.

Click the Preview button to have the system generate a pro forma report with a "DRAFT" watermark and show it in a new browser tab.

Click the Upload button to upload a document to be used as the report. This will result in the panel changing to the manually uploaded Draft report panel (displayed below).

Click the Use template button to select a template to use as the valuation report. This will result in the panel changing to the Report editor panel. Click this link for information about the report editor.

Draft report


Report (Custom)

Click the Delete draft button to delete the draft and revert to the "No report" state above.

Click the DownloadDownload button to download a copy of the report.

Click the EditEdit button to download a copy of the report and open it in an editor. See the Valuation report helper for more information.

Click the Finalise button to mark the report as finalised.

Finalised report


Finalised report

Click the Amend button to amend the report. The system will pop up a confirmation box, and you'll need to click the Confirm button to proceed with amending the report.

Click the Download button to download a copy of the finalised report.

Click the View button to open a view of the finalised report in a new browser tab.

Other jobs

If there are other jobs for this property, they will show up in this panel. The panel will tell you how many jobs, and will also highlight jobs that are still in progress. For each job, the system will show you the:

  • Address (should be the same as the current job)
  • Valuer who was responsible for the valuation
  • Report fee
  • Client name
  • Valuation date
  • Market value
Other jobs

Event log

VOW keeps track of all updates to a job. In this panel, you can see:

  • What was changed (and what part of the job it was)
  • When it was changed
  • Who changed it

Click the expansion button to unfold the change. Original values are shown in red; new values are shown in green.

Event log
info

Jobs that have been imported from other systems may not have any useful change history.