A Few Steps to Shorter Turn Times

The appraisal profession is constantly evolving. On a regular basis, it seems, appraisers are asked to include additional information or have steps added to their appraisal process. They do this extra work to ensure the end user receives the best information to be had. To stay current with the continuously changing requirements, Richard Tyler Martin is always acquiring new tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for in less time. Since Richard Tyler Martin knows that time is important to everyone, below are some tips you can do to decrease turn times every time you order an appraisal from Richard Tyler Martin.

Always order your appraisals electronically.: When you order online, you automatically receive e-mail notifications that the order was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip single-handedly will save the most time! No longer do we have to manually enter information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether the order was received.
Complete and accurate subject property data is crucial.: Being just one number off on the street address can really 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 — remember, however, that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.
Tell us up front of the property's unique characteristics.: It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter house. What takes time is analyzing how unique features add to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. Let us know up front when ordering your report if there are unique details of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition constructed, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's predisposed to flooding. While these are things that we would find out on our own, knowing them as early as possible will likely make your report arrive more quickly.
Set proper expectations with the homeowner.: One of the most inefficient parts of the appraisal process is setting an inspection date with the current homeowner. Many current homeowners are understandably uneasy with the fact an outsider wants to come in their home, look around, and make copious notes. Not uncommonly they think they must make the place spotless before the inspection, under the impression that will increase the value. And will delay the appointment until they have cleaned.

Hearing it directly from you -- a person 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 change their home's value one little bit, and can decrease the time it takes to inspect a home. I encourage you to point your clients to our website, where we have many pages of useful information for homeowners as well as others regarding the appraisal process. Have them call us if they want to meet the staff and learn more about our services. And tell them it benefits them to set the appointment quickly!
Use our website to follow 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 each important milestone in an assignment is completed, that information is available to you online. It's never been easier to keep track of your report's status.