5 Hints for Faster Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. On a regular basis, it seems, appraisers are asked to include extra information or have steps added to their research. All of this is to guarantee their client is presented with the best information to be had. To keep up with the continuously changing requirements, Lundquist Appraisals & Real Estate Services is continuously acquiring additional tools and improving processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our clients. Since Lundquist Appraisals & Real Estate Services knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed a handful of tips you can do to accelerate the process when you order an appraisal from Lundquist Appraisals & Real Estate Services.

Are you ordering appraisals online?: By ordering online, you automatically get e-mail notifications that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip single-handedly will save the most time! No longer do we have to re-key information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether we got the order.
Are you providing complete and accurate data 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 are good data to include with your request. Even a list of recent area sales is welcome — remember, however, that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.
Are you letting us know up front any features of the property that might make it distinct?: Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. 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 you order your report if there are unique features 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 early as possible makes your report arrive quicker.
Does the homeowner know what to expect?: Setting an inspection time and date with the homeowner can be one of the most inefficient tasks in the appraisal process. Some homeowners are clearly apprehensive with the fact an outsider wants to come in their house, look around, and take numerous notes. A common belief is that they have to make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by, believing that will increase the value. So they choose to not schedule the appraisal inspection until they have cleaned.

Coming from you -- someone they've been 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 likely shorten the appraisal inspection time. Our website has multiple pages of useful information about the appraisal process for homeowners. I encourage you to share it with your clients. Tell 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 as quickly as possible!
Easily keep tabs on the status of your report on our website.: No more phone and fax tag. Up-to-the-minute status updates are available online, anytime, 24/7. As each important milestone in an assignment is completed, that information can be viewed instantly online. There's no faster way to track your report's status.