Steps for a lender to help make faster turn times

If you worked with appraisers ten years ago, you know how much technology has changed since then. What you might not realize is that there have been many developments in technology and e-commerce that have improved turnaround times on appraisal assignments. We're taking advantage of them. Are you taking advantage of every opportunity you have to speed up the process? Here are some suggestions.

Are you ordering appraisals on line? With on line ordering, you get e-mail acknowledgments that the assignment was received, and fast, secure password protected PDF format report delivery. It's the single biggest time saver available to both of us! We don't have to retype information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether we received the order.

Are you providing complete and accurate information about the subject property? There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to add unnecessary time to an appraisal assignment. And if you have a tax parcel number, plat map number, subdivision name or anything else that uniquely identifies the property, please pass it along. We even welcome lists of recent sales in the area — though be advised that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours might differ from yours.

Are you letting us know up front any details about the property that might make it unique? Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how unique features contribute to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. Let us know up front when you order your report if there are unique features of the home or surrounding area — for example, it's had a recent addition put on, new pool/spa , multiple parcels, subject to zoning restrictions These are things we'll find out on our own anyway, and knowing them as soon as possible makes your report arrive more quickly. If your client has permits  that is better.

Are you making the occupants of the home aware of what to expect? One of the most time consuming parts of the appraisal process is setting an appointment with the occupants of the home. Some homeowners are understandably uncomfortable with the fact a stranger wants to come in their house and look around and make notes. Some think they have to make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by, thinking that will make the house appraise higher. So they put off the appointment until they can get around to cleaning. Hearing from you can encourage them to call us And informing them that it's in their interest to set the appointment as quickly as possible!

If a the property has a tenant and/or property manager please have them the owner call and alert them that we will be calling to set an appointment or have them call us to help cut time. We normally call within a few hours of receipt of the request.

Please be sure that the contact information is correct and that the person we are calling has access to the property. a wrong number can lose days as we leave messages for the wrong person. You will be called on the 3rd attempt or sooner to let you know of any delays.

Please provide sales contracts, disclosure statements, plans and specs and cost estimates as necessary ahead of the appraisal appointment. 

What do we do to help your report move faster?

We call your client within a few hours of getting the request.

We try all the numbers you give us and will even email if we can

We make schedules that allow for your report to be typed and sent usually within a day of viewing.

We use technology to be accurate the first time and train the staff to help take the non-analysis parts of the report away from the appraisers time. These are of course checked over to insure accuracy. We have automated flood maps, digital maps, digital cameras and of course email.

We accept Pay Pal upon request to expedite payment and avoid delays for lack of payment.