FAQ's Convenient & Complete Answers to
Common Questions
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OPERATING
SYSTEM and HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS |
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| Q.
Will the software run on a
MAC? |
| Q.
I have XP and use Office 2000 - can I still use
the software? |
| Q.
My system has 500 mg of RAM and runs fine – why
do I need to add more memory? |
| Q.
Do I need Excel to run the
software? |
| Q.
My system video is set at 600X800 and I like
that setting – can I still use the software? |
| Q.
I see that the software uses 45 mb of hard drive
space – why so much for just an Excel model? |
| Q.
Do I need a special
printer or special print drivers? |
| Q.
Why didn’t you write the program in C# or some
other program language? |
| Q.
I don’t have a clue what hardware I have – how
can I tell if I can run the software? |
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LICENSING |
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Q.
I use a laptop and a desk-based PC - Can I run
the software on both machines? |
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Q.
I own a Commercial Real
Estate Office and want my agents to analyze
deals before contacting potential clients – Do
you ever private label or “Brand” the software? |
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Q.
What happens if I lose my
license key or have a hard-drive failure – do I
have to pay for another install? |
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Q.
I don’t see my club or
association listed in your website as a
strategic partner or affiliate – how do I get
them involved? |
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Q.
Are multi-key, multi-site
licenses available, and if so is there any type
of discount pricing plan? |
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DEMO and DOWNLOAD |
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Q.
Do you offer a Demo? |
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Q.
How long does the
download take? |
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Q.
Can I download the demo to
a CD and install later. |
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Q.
How do I remove the
program if I choose not to purchase at this
time? |
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Q.
I get an error message when trying to install
the program – what happened? |
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Q.
Can I also get CD’s of the
program? |
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Q.
I installed the demo and
my machine runs very slowly – what’s going on? |
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GENERAL QUESTIONS |
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Q.
I am new to investing and this seems a bit
overwhelming. Do I need experience to use the
software?
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Q.
I have never used Excel. How tough is it to use
the software? |
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Q.
I’m thinking about buying a single-family for
investment, isn’t this over-kill? |
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Q.
Do you offer a stripped-down version of the
software? |
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USING THE SOFTWARE |
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Q.
Does the software come
with a manual? |
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Q.
What if I can’t find the
answer to my question in the help section? |
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Q.
What is the Realty
Analytics Forum? |
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Q.
Is the manual easy to understand, or do I need
to be a CPA to understand it? |
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Q.
Is the program ever updated, and if so, what is
the cost? |
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Q.
I’ve been using Excel for years and am quite
proficient – can I customize the program? |
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Q.
Can I email a model to my banker or partner for
review and collaboration? |
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OPERATING SYSTEM and HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS |
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Q.
Will the software run on a
MAC? |
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A:
Not at this time. The software is a
windows-based product. |
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Q.
I have XP and use Office 2000 - can I still use
the software? |
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A:
Your operating system is fine, as long as you
have installed service pack 2 from the Microsoft
update center. The software is compatible with
Office 2000, 2003 and 2007. Some of the
advanced graphic features offered in Office 2007
will not display in the same way in 2000 or
2003, but the financial results are the same. |
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Q.
My system has 500 mg of
RAM and runs fine – why do I need to add more
memory? |
| A:
Realty Analytics is a very complex engine that
performs, in some cases, thousands of iterations
in a single formula – this is a very RAM
intensive process. While you could run the
software – it may perform slowly. Our Technical
Staff recommends 1gb of RAM for optimal
performance. |
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Q.
Do I need Excel to run the
software? |
| A:
Yes, Realty Analytics is Excel based. While you
do not need the entire Microsoft Office suite,
you do need a licensed copy of Excel 2000 or
Higher
installed on your machine. |
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Q.
My system video is set at
600X800 and I like that setting – can I still
use the software? |
| A:
Yes, but resolutions higher than 1024X768 allow
you to view more of the screen and take
advantage of the software’s full features.
Higher resolutions (up to 1900X1200) will allow
you to view up to 20 years in a single view – a
nice feature if you want to see the effects over
time. |
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Q.
I see that the software uses 45 mb of hard drive
space – why so much for just an Excel model? |
| A:
Yes, the software uses a lot of hard-drive space
– that’s because it’s not just a large
spreadsheet. The Realty Analytics model
contains thousands of complex formulas and
numerous worksheets that are hidden from view.This
is done to protect the formulas from accidental
overwrite – which would render the model
useless. In addition to the model itself, there
are numerous other files that work in concert
with Excel that reside “above” Excel, these
files are exceptionally large. |
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Q.
Do I need a special
printer or special print drivers? |
| A:
No. The software and related downloads at
installation provide all of the divers necessary
to print to your printer, and to save the
project in PDF format if you want to share the
results with an advisor, banker, or potential
partner. |
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Q.
Why didn’t you write the
program in C# or some other program language? |
| A:
We could have written it in any number of
languages, like C sharp for example, and made it
a stand-alone application. We chose the
Microsoft Excel environment because of our
client’s familiarity with Excel, and the fact
that Excel affords many features and benefits –
not the least of which is full integration with
Office 2007. Full integration means that you
can use many of the Office Features right from
within Excel. We feel that the benefits of
using the Excel environment far outweigh any
benefits of a stand-alone package. |
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Q.
I don’t have a clue what hardware I have – how
can I tell if I can run the software? |
| A:
Download and run the Realty Analytics System
Advisor. It will tell you what is in your system
and make recommendations for optimal
performance. No information whatsoever is sent
to Realty Analytics during this process – your
privacy is preserved. |
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LICENSING |
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| Q.
I use a laptop and a
desk-based PC - Can I run the software on both
machines?
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| A:
No. The license provides for unlimited use of
the software on one machine. A multi-key
license is available if you want to install the
software on a second machine. |
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| Q.
I own a Commercial Real
Estate Office and want my agents to analyze
deals before contacting potential clients – Do
you ever private label or “Brand” the software? |
| A:
Yes. Realty Analytics will Brand the software
so that your clients will see only your company
name and contact information. We receive many
inquiries regarding Branding and Customization
of the software and welcome the opportunity to
discuss your needs more fully. Please contact
us at
Sales@RealtyAnalytics.net for
more information and a no-obligation
consultation with our Sales Team and Technical
Staff. |
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| Q.
What happens if I lose my
license key or have a hard-drive failure – do I
have to pay for another install? |
| A:
Your license key and registration number are
easily forwarded to you upon notification of
need. Be aware however that the key is
registered to the processor number on your
computer and will not install to a new system. |
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| Q.
I don’t see my club or
association listed in your website as a
strategic partner or affiliate – how do I get
them involved? |
| A:
Refer the director or manager to our website and
have them follow the links to Affiliate
Memberships, or have them contact us at
AffinityMktg@RealtyAnalytics.net.
Your organization can then offer you a
discounted price for the software. If you are
not presently a member of an organization – we
suggest that you consider joining one. You not
only receive the benefits of membership of the
organization – you will receive VIP treatment
from Realty Analytics. |
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| Q.
Are multi-key, multi-site licenses available,
and if so is there any type of discount pricing
plan? |
| A:
Yes, Realty Analytics offers Enterprise Elite, a
multiple site, multiple user version of the
software. Please contact
Sales@RealtyAnalytics.net for more
information. |
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DEMO and DOWNLOAD |
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| Q.
Do you offer a Demo? |
| A:
No, we do not offer a demo of the software, but
do have lengthy video presentations on the
website that will give you a keen understanding
of the software’s functionality, look and feel. |
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| Q.
How long does the download
take? |
| A:
About 3 minutes on cable or DSL, and up to 30
minutes on dial-up |
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| Q.
Can I download the demo to a CD and install
later. |
| A:
Absolutely – just save the file to your desktop
then copy to a CD and install at your
convenience – The demo is functional for 7 days
following installation. |
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| Q.
How do I remove the
program if I choose not to purchase at this
time? |
| A:
It’s a simple two-step process. First, you must
uninstall the program just as you would any
other program by going to the Program Manager in
Windows and un-installing Realty Analytics.
Then simply delete the Realty Analytics model
from your file. |
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| Q.
I get an error message when trying to install
the program – what happened? |
| A:
Make sure that Excel is closed when you try to
install the software. |
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| Q.
Can I also get CD’s of the
program? |
| A:
Yes, CD’s of the program and a printed manual
are available for an additional fee at the time
the order is placed. |
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| Q.
I installed the demo and my machine runs very
slowly – what’s going on? |
| A:
It’s likely due to insufficient resources in
your computer. Add additional memory, or close
other applications that may be contributing to
poor performance. |
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GENERAL QUESTIONS |
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| Q.
I am new to investing and this seems a bit
overwhelming. Do I need experience to use the
software?
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| A:
No, you don’t. The software has
context-sensitive help throughout. If you get
stuck on a procedural issue, or simply need
clarification on a specific topic – you’ll find
the help system to be quite useful. |
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| Q.
I have never used Excel. How tough is it to use
the software? |
| A:
The software is designed so that you need no
Excel experience. Each step is clearly outlined
and each data entry area is clearly
distinguished. The context-sensitive help
system will provide meaningful guidance, and the
self-guided on-line tutorial will show you
step-by-step how to achieve professional results
the first time out. |
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| Q.
I’m thinking about buying
a single-family for investment, isn’t this
over-kill? |
| A:
Definitely not overkill if you stop to consider
that making an uninformed financing decision
could cost you tens of thousands of dollars -.
The system will provide you with very meaningful
information upon which to base financing
decisions, capital improvements, and impacts of
taxes among other things. All critical
components in the investment decision. The cost
of the software is peanuts compared to the
ultimate costs making one of these deadly
errors. |
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| Q.
Do you offer a
stripped-down version of the software? |
| A:
No. Every component of the software is critical
to determining the REAL value of a target
property, and then converting that raw data into
a professional business plan. Anything less
doesn’t get the job done. |
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USING THE SOFTWARE |
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| Q.
Does the software come
with a manual? |
| A:
Yes. The manual resides within the software
itself and is accessible from anywhere in the
program. You can print the manual and read it
before operating the software although that is
not necessary. If you choose to purchase the CD
set, the printed manual is included. |
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| Q.
What if I can’t find the
answer to my question in the help section? |
| A:
The chances are fair that you’ll find the
information you need in the Realty Analytics
Forum. There you’ll find questions from other
investors and answers from not only seasoned
pros, but also other investors. If you are
unable to find the information you need, Realty
Analytics Technical Help will respond to your
email inquiry quickly and efficiently to get you
on your way. |
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Q.
What is the Realty
Analytics Forum? |
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A:
The Forum is a meeting place for investors of
all types to share knowledge and information not
only about using the software, but also about
investing in real estate. You’ll find very
useful tips about financing, due diligence,
legal matters, insurance, risk management and
more. No matter what your skill level, there is
always something new to learn, or something that
you can share with other investors who may need
your insights. |
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Q.
Is the manual easy to understand, or do I need
to be a CPA to understand it? |
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A:
The manual was written by seasoned real estate
professionals who understand that not everyone
knows (or even cares about) the difference
between IRR and MIRR and why that difference is
important. The manual is clearly written in
everyday language with many illustrations and
explanations. |
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Q.
Is the program ever
updated, and if so, what is the cost? |
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A:
Realty Analytics continuously enhances the
software based upon user feedback, and the ever
changing market conditions. Updates to the
version that you purchase are always free - and
available at any time through the website. From
time to time, additional major components will
be made available for an additional fee in
either CD or via download from the website. |
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Q.
I’ve been using Excel for years and am quite
proficient – can I customize the program? |
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A:
Yes. You can unprotect the visible worksheets
and remove the range protection that is built in
to stop accidental overwrite of critical
formulas. You can perform formatting functions,
add worksheets and, at your own risk, edit
formulas. Be aware that many of the functions
and critical components that run the model do
not reside in Excel, and therefore we do not
provide support for altered software. If you
have need of major modifications – please
contact our technical staff to discuss your
specific requirements. |
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Q.
Can I email a model to my
banker or partner for review and collaboration? |
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A:
Of course. There are two ways to share the
information. You can save the model as a PDF
document and email it to whomever you wish, or
you can email them the actual model. They will
receive the model and can review it in detail,
but if they are not a registered user – the
model will not allow changes. |
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