Some Hints for Faster Turn Times

The appraisal profession is evolving continuously. Commonly, it seems, appraisers are asked to supply more information or have steps added to their process. They do this additional work to ensure their client gets the best information available. To keep up with the always changing requirements, Lundquist Appraisals & Real Estate Services is always testing new tools and improving processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. Since Lundquist Appraisals & Real Estate Services knows that time is important to everyone, below are some items you can do to lessen turn times on any appraisals you order with Lundquist Appraisals & Real Estate Services.

Order your appraisals on the Internet.: By ordering online, you get automatic e-mail confirmations that the request was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. Online ordering is the single biggest time saver available to both of us! No longer do we have to manually enter information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether we received the request.
Complete and accurate subject property data is key.: 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. Even a list of recent sales in the area is welcome — remember, however, that professional appraisers are lawfully required to do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours might differ from yours.
Let us know up front of the property's unique elements.: It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter home. What takes time is analyzing how differing details 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 characteristics of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition built on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's predisposed 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.
Let the homeowner know what to expect.: Setting an inspection time and date with the homeowner can be one of the most inefficient parts in the appraisal process. We understand that a homeowner may be uneasy with a stranger looking in every corner of their home, taking pictures, and making numerous notes. Not uncommonly they think they need to make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by, with the idea that will increase the appraised value. And will delay the inspection until they have cleaned.

Hearing it directly from you -- a person they are working with on their loan -- some knowledge about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't make it more likely their sale will close, and can decrease the appraisal inspection time. Our website has several pages of helpful information about the appraisal process for homeowners. I encourage you to share it with your clients. Encourage them to call us if they want to meet the staff and learn more about our services. Remind them it's to their advantage to set the appointment soon!
Why not our website as a resource to keep track of 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 we complete each important milestone in an assignment, that information is available instantly to you online. It's never been easier and faster to keep track of your report's status.