Five Hints for Swifter Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. On a regular basis, it seems, appraisers are asked to supply extra information or have steps added to their data gathering. All of this is to guarantee the end user gets the best information available. To keep up with the constantly changing requirements, MacDonnell Appraisals is constantly seeking new tools and tweaking processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for in less time. Since MacDonnell Appraisals knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed some items you can do to lower turn times each time you order an appraisal from MacDonnell Appraisals.

Are you ordering appraisals online?: When you order online, you automatically receive e-mail notifications that the order was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip alone will save the most time! We don't have to re-key information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether the order was received.
Are you providing complete and accurate information about the subject property?: There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to unnecessarily slow down an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name is great information to include with the request. Even a list of recent area sales is welcome — though be advised that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours might differ from yours.
Are you telling us up front any characteristics of the property that might make it distinct?: Cookie-cutter houses are relatively easy to appraise. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how differing characteristics add to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. When ordering your report, let us know if there are unique features of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition constructed, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's prone to flooding. These are things we'd find out on our own anyway, and knowing them as soon as possible makes your report arrive sooner.
Set proper expectations with the homeowner.: One of the most inefficient tasks of the appraisal process is confirming an appointment with the homeowner. We understand that a homeowner may be apprehensive with a stranger inspecting every square foot of their home, taking pictures, and making abundant notes. Thinking that it will increase the appraised value, a few homeowners believe they should make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by. So they reschedule the appointment until they can get around to cleaning.

Hearing it directly from you -- someone they've been working with on their loan -- a little bit about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't affect their home's value one little bit, and can decrease the time it takes to inspect a home. Our website has numerous pages of helpful information about the appraisal process for homeowners. I encourage you to share it with your clients. Have them call us if they want to meet our staff and learn more about our services. And tell them it's to their benefit to set the appointment without delay!
Our website is a great resource for verifying the status of your report.: 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 each important milestone in an assignment is completed, that information can be viewed instantly online. It's never been easier to keep track of the status of your report.