San Nicolas is General Counsel and Sr. Corporate Strategist for Bluebook International, Inc., a leading provider of residential cost data and solutions for the insurance, mortgage and appraisal industries.

Buzz: What’s new at Bluebook?

San Nicolas: Bluebook has quite a few exciting things to tell the Buzz about. First, our AARCA report (Appraiser Assisted Residential Cost Analysis) tool is now available one transaction at a time on line at www.insurebase.net. The appraiser is now able to buy the report one at a time with a credit card, or in packs of 20, 50, 100 and more for a discount. Appraisers have been asking us for this capability.

Buzz: That’s a very convenient offering for the appraiser, but what about cost?

San Nicolas: Bluebook will always be the appraiser’s best friend when it comes to cost. In fact, we’ll offer Buzz readers a 20% discount, making the AARCA significantly more affordable than other on line cost calculation tools. Appraisers should use the code SSBUZZ when ordering.

Buzz: We like discounts! What else is new?

San Nicolas: We’ve made some terrific report and functionality enhancements since we first launched our cost data tool that came directly from appraisers. We have been fortunate to have so many skilled and experienced appraisers working with us to refine our cost tool’s capabilities. And believe me, we listen! Bluebook is true blue when it comes to our appraiser offerings…AARCA is a report designed by appraisers for appraisers and that holds true for the enhancements and changes too.

Buzz: That’s awesome, I’ve heard your integration with ACI has gone live. How’s that going?

San Nicolas: ACI is on fire. We are totally excited about our ACI integration going live! Our cost data is now available through ACI to ACI users and it is such a convenient application for ACI users to perform their cost calculations. ACI users should definitely check it out and take advantage of the free demo ACI is offering.

Buzz: You recently released a White Paper entitled, Collateral Replacement Cost Risk, What Every Lender and Investor Needs to Know. This seems like a very timely topic given the controversy with the cost approach lately.

San Nicolas: Well Joan, it’s a comprehensive analysis of the disconnect between the appraiser, the originating lender, the property insurer and the borrower when it comes to determining or validating the proper amount of hazard insurance required on a residential loan. Since lender reliance on the cost approach, ‘cost to replace new’ calculation has generated such debate, understanding why lenders have grown accustomed to relying on the cost approach for insurance, and what the roles and responsibilities are of the lender, the homeowner and the property insurer adds insight to the debate. The paper looks at the issue historically and moving forward. Hopefully it will provide some insight into the big picture as this industry as whole searches for an answer to the insurance question.

Buzz: Very interesting. Well sounds like things are defiantly happening at Bluebook. What can we expect to see in 2007 for the appraisal industry?

San Nicolas: I’d say ask the appraisers Joan. They will tell us what they want, and we will deliver it.