Five Steps to Faster Turn Times

Recently, a report in the news indicated that technology virtually doubles itself ever twelve months. If you have been working with appraisers over the past 5-10 years, you absolutely know how techonology has changed over this time frame. What you may not realize is that there have been many develepments in technology and e-commerce that have improved the turn-around time for appraisal assignments.

At Hester Appraisals, we are taking advantage of many of these improvements. The question is: Are you taking advantage of every opportunity to speed up the process? Here are 5 suggestions:

• Are you ordering appraisals online? With our online ordering system, you get an automatic email response confirmin receipt of order. You also get fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This is a big time saver to both of us! You don't have to wonder if we received the order, and we dont have to re-type information from a fax.
• Are you providing complete and accurate information about the subject property? There is nothing like being one number off on the street address to add extra time to an appraisal assignment. Also, information like the tax parcel number, plat map number, subdivision name, etc., is great information to include in the order. Also, accurate contact information for access to the subject property is vital.
• Are you letting us know up front of any details about the property that might make it unique? Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraiser. What takes time is analyzing how unique features contribute or detract from a property's market value. If you are aware of any unique features about the home or the surrounding neighborhood, please let us know up front. For example, has there been a recent addition put on? is it subject to certain zoning? These are things we will find out on our own anyway, but knowing them as soon as possible makes your report arrive more quickly.
• 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 the appointment for the inspection. It is understandable that some homeowners are uncomfortable that a stranger wants to come into their house, look around, and make notes. Some think they have to make the place spotless before the apprasier arrives--in hopes that it will make the house appraiser higher. So they put off the visit until they can get around to cleaning. Print out our "How to Prepare" page and share that with the homeowner.
• Are you using our website as a resource to keep track of your report's status? Phone and fax "tag" can be a thing of the past with up to the minute status updates available online, anytime--24/7. As each important milestone of an assignment is completed, that information is available to you online. It has never been easier to keep track of your report's status.