How to Get Price Break on Listsource AVM costs of 50 Cents Per Record - Or Just Avoid This Screen Entirely?

[Burt L.]

In building lists at Listsouce, by far the most costly screen is the AVM at 50 cents per record. I spoke with a rep who said he is checking with his manager about giving something of price break, but said it is one of their premier screens. I am not a subsriber yet, and he said there is no price break that could be added to a reduction from being a monthly subscriber. Its either one or the other.

In doing mailings, it seems that AVM is an important screen in locating wholesale opportunities, as one wants to target the same price ranges that most rehabbers work.

Is there a way to get a better price, or even avoid this costly screen altogether? I have seen it mentioned here to select zip codes that are at 2/3 of the median price for an area, and presumably zip code screens cost less than AVM's using a polygon drawn on an area map. There seems to be variation within a zipcode though. Its also nice to have the AVM as a data point amongst the many property appraisal tools available, but there are less costly ways to get to the value.

The cost of the single AVM screen was 75% of the total cost of each record, which is huge. Equity or LTV screens etc are a great deal less. Screening by recorded date just doesn't work as old mortgages get cashout Refi's - as I've seen again and again - and there are recent cash purchases so free and clear doesnt work on its own either.

I'm quite open to other cost-reduction suggestions at Listsource or other providers as well. Hope I'm contributing something in this.