5 Suggestions for Quicker Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. Commonly, it seems, appraisers are asked to include more information or have steps added to their data gathering. All of this is to ensure the end user gets the best analysis. To stay current with the always changing requirements my company is always researching new tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency, so in the end, we can complete assignments in a more timely manner for our clients. Since we know that time is critical to everyone involved in a mortgage transaction, we have listed some items you can do to lower turn times whenever you order an appraisal from DB Appraisal Services:

  1. Are you ordering appraisals online? By ordering online, you automatically get e-mail confirmations that the request was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip alone will save the most time! No longer do we have to retype information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether the order was received.

  2. Make sure that the subject property information is accurate and complete. Being just one number off on the street address can really unnecessarily delay an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name is helpful information to include with the request. Even a list of recent area sales is welcome — however, remember that professional appraisers are lawfully required to do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.

    3. If you have any questions about your property or an appraisal we're working on for you, feel free to contact us

  3. Are you telling us up front any characteristics of the property that might make it distinct? Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how unique characteristics contribute to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. At the time you order your report, be sure to let us know if there are unique details of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition constructed, it's subject to zoning restrictions, and it's prone to flooding. These are things we will find out on our own anyway, and knowing them as soon as possible makes your report arrive quicker.

  4. Let the homeowner know what to expect. One of the most inefficient parts of the appraisal process is confirming an inspection date with the homeowner. Many homeowners are understandably apprehensive with the idea that a stranger wants to come in their home, look around, and make numerous notes. With the belief that it will make the house appraise for more money, many homeowners believe they have to make the place spotless before the appraisal inspection and will choose to not schedule the appointment until they can get around to cleaning.

    Hearing it directly from you -- a trusted party with whom they already have a business relationship -- some information about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't increase their home's value one bit, will help move the process along for everyone. I encourage you to point your customers to our website, where we have several pages of helpful information for homeowners as well as others describing the appraisal process. They can even call us if they want to become familiar with our staff and services. And tell them it benefits them to set the appointment without delay!

  5. Our website is a great resource for keeping tabs on your report's status. Why are you still playing phone and fax tag when our website offers up-to-the-minute status updates available online, anytime, 24/7? As we complete each important milestone in an assignment, that information can be viewed instantly online. There's no easier or faster way to track your report's status.