ArpyFlow has figured out the best way to provide a direct platform that connects home services providers with homeowners in need. They are taking the On Demand Home Service Provider space by storm. What are they doing different? 

ArpyFlow was founded by Real Estate Profesionals, house flippers and attorneys by accident. It arose from industry frustrations within the real estate lending world. Why does it take so long for a bank to get an appraisal back from the field, they were asking. Likewise, why did it take so long for a house flipper to get his construction draw request from the bank. There had to be a better way.

The Problem: After the 2009 real estate collapse the real estate lending space underwent serious regulatory changes and most banks also implemented their own internal guidelines to protect against fraud and financial loss. Accordingly, appraisals need protective "firewalls" to prevent collusion between loan officers, real estate agents, bankers, underwriters and the likes. This firewall led to the creation of something called "Appraisal Management Companies". The basic gist of AMC's is to be a vehicle to intake appraisal orders from mortage loan officers, mortgage brokers, and real estate agents and then "randomly" assign them to local appraisers to perform the appraisals without anyone knowing to whom it was assigned. So the appraiser could not be pressured, threatened or even bribed for a certain value. It was a good and effective idea. However, it was costly and harmful to a majority of the appraisal world. These AMC's were owned by appraisers (with foresight or astuteness) who would charge the banks/borrowers anywhere, on average, from $400-$700 and then in turn pay the appraiser that performed the work around $150. Prior to this implementation, appraisers were mainly self employed professionals who were charging around $375-$500 and keeping all of it for their services. Ultimately, this led to appraisers having to take on more work to make what they were accustomed to which slows down the process and hurts the consumer (and sometimes LO's). This can be extremely problematic in times of turbulency and fluctuating interest rates. It can also be stressful and create contentious situations for all involved.

Additionally, the "flipping" market took some hits as well. In old times, "hard money lenders" would loan money to flippers for majority of purchase price as well as construction costs and the lender would usually provide the construction funds in advance in order to speed things up. After the collapse, lenders starting holding on to the construction funds and the flipper and/or their contractor would need to reqyest a "draw" after part of the work was done (based on a pre-determined draw schedule). However, lenders would not accept pictures/videos but required an inspection be personally performed by an inspector of the lender's choosing. Most of the time, this would take 2-3 weeks. No money means no contractor which equals increased (interest, insurance property taxes etc.) costs (and even liability) to flipper.

The Solution: ArpyFlow: Initially, the simple solution (at least on the construction draw side) was as simple as ordering an Uber driver to swing by a house being flipped to perform an inspection, take a few pictures and upload them directly to the lender. Since the logic behind the inspection was a disinterested third party, it should be acceptable. This idea led to the brainchild of contacting Uber driver's and discussing with them the possibility of becoming an appraiser. I mean, they are driving all over the place and they're basically infinite in any certain area at any certain time and if they could make $350 doing an appraiser and another $150 doing a simple inspection, thats probably more than they were making driving for Uber. And the thoughts and possibilites just kept growing....wait! How about landscapers? How about plumbers? Even barbers, nail technicians....hold on....has this been tried? Oh wait, it has been tried! But why hasn't it been perfected? Probably because Thomas Edison and his refusal to give up wasn't at the helm. A great platitude, but hardly a good answer.

The Research: Every businessman knows that in order to capture a market, you need to do (whatever market it is) it better. You also need to understand that you cannot settle. you need to keep growing. Keep the innovation flowing and you have to understand your customer base. Think like them. Act like them. Most importantly, listen to them! Easier said than done. However, we set out on an endeavor to discover; why an "Uber for Everything" doesn't exist in this day and age. What we discovered was interesting, there were several reasons: 

1. Open Source Code wasn't really utilized or able to be utilized (until almost 2020) causing people to have to build their own code from scratch. This is extremely time consuming and expensive and the "risk/reward" did not seem to make much sense. The Uber for Home Services was mainly tried between the years of 2012-2018. While "open source" has been (kind of) a thing since the Army procurement system/US Intelligence created the intranet (yes that's what it was called, I didn't misspell), it became pertinent around 1995-1998 when the "internet" (public connection/usage) became a thing; However, Uber was not what it is now until somewhere around 2012-2013 so noone was leveraging the "open source" capabilities AND Uber did not start to publicly endorse its very friendly Open Source Pratices Community until 2019. In fact, Uber has attempted something called "UberTask" which has not gained traction because Uber tailored their SaaS to transportation, which means they have to support and think about those drivers/employees. Their initiative was to have Uber drivers use the homeowners lawn mower to mow the lawn. This clearly leads to a host of other issues and gives rise to ArpyFlow's cavalier attitude to refuse to "limit your problem solving to one industry" as most VC "experts" will opine (probably great advice in 2014 but not in 2025).
2. Controlling the revenue: TaskRabbit and Angi: TR and "Angie's List" nka "Angi" were visionaries in what is now known as the "on demand" era. Both started as web platforms, in 2008 and 1995, resepctively. Both companies were pioneers (along with other co.'s that merged with them) in virtually connecting those needing help and those willing to assist (mainly in the home service and "gig" markets). However, over time, in my opinion, these companies failed to look at themselves through their clients eyes. In this case, I would argue that "their clients" are both the supplier AND the consumer, and by reviews found eveywhere (while successful), they've failed to a. recognize who their client was and b. only cared about bottom line. Later on, Thumbtack would join the aging pioneers in both the success and what I view as failure. Why? Because they tried to intervene in the revenue stream between supplier and consumer. While it work's in some industries (mortgage broker, auto broker, stock broker), it can not work in the connection of those in need and those willing to perform. It doesn't work for a variety of reasons, such as competing interests. Who is their client? If you try to control what the person or entity willing to perform charges then you cannot care about the consumer (or the quality of work). Coversely, and logically, if you try to protect the consumer, you're micromanaging (effectively acting as an agent) which will certainly lead to inefficiency and more than likely, failure. 
3. Single Service Industry: There are many apps that have taken the approach of "solving the problem of one industry". This approach is understandable when one is aware of the history of the web, apps, open source code and technology as a whole. In short, and as mentioned briefly before, in the two thousand ten and teens it makes sense. It would be costly, timely and too risky to build a code for a two sided platform from scratch to cover broad industries. However, like everything else in life, evolution plays a key role and needs to be figured into the equation. When you take the "one industry approach" you may be depriving yourself of large swaths of market share thereby limiting your revenue and potential for growth. If you take ArpyFlow's "go big or go home" approach, you mitigate risk (by leaving the option to pivot on the table) and increase the liklihood of success by being able to keep costs down in favor of the consumer and not having to intervene in the revenue stream, therefore, allowing the service provider to charge what he feels the market dictates.

Rebundling Craigslist: Craigslist is the OG when it comes to a two-sided marketplace platform. It was simple and effective and the people loved it. Sometimes simple is the most effective. The legendary Lou Holtz has repeatedly said "it's not difficult, don't over complicate it".....ArpyFlow has lived and grown by those whispers. CL just simply allowed people to post what they needed (or were looking for) and then allowed people to respond with prices or fairness of value. It's unfortunate they ventured into one taboo category that ultimately determined its fate (while still around not as main stream as they once were). The Uber, AirBNB, Tinder, Zillow, Thumbtack, Reddit, OfferUp etc. generation was profoundly referred to as "The Unbundling of Craigslist". ArpyFlow's vision is the "rebundling of Craigslist". Through innovation and a careful, thoughtful, analytical approach, we are keeping it simple. ArpyFlow used evolution to its advantage. ArpyFlow ignored the powers that be and decided early on that it would be this decades pioneer. ArpyFlow figured out how to create a platform that allows for consumers to instantly seek and suppliers to instantly supply while viewing both sides as their clients by keeping costs down to the consumer yet allowing the supplier to determine their value. By keeping it simple.

Download and Sign up for the ArpyFlow Apps today. Remember, if you're a service provider download the ArpyFlow Service Provider App. If you're a homeowner consumer, download and sign up for the ArpyFlow User App. Flow into the future with simplicity. ArpyFlow, the only real Uber for Homer Services, based in Long Island, New York. Join today.