Some Tips for Shorter Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. Every year, it seems, appraisers are asked to provide more information or have steps added to their process. All of this is to guarantee their client receives the best data available. In order to stay current with the always changing requirements, On the Mark Appraisals is continuously testing new tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. At On the Mark Appraisals we know that time is important to everybody, so below are some items you can do to reduce turn times on any appraisals you order from On the Mark Appraisals.

Are you ordering appraisals online?: By ordering online, you receive automatic 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 manually enter information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether the order was received.
Verify that the subject property information is accurate and complete.: Having just one number incorrect on the street address can really unnecessarily delay 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 — though be advised that professional appraisers are lawfully required to do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours might differ from yours.
Tell us up front of the property's distinct features.: It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter house. 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. Let us know up front when ordering your report if there are unique characteristics of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition built on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's predisposed to flooding. While these are things that we'll find out on our own, knowing them early on is likely to make your report arrive sooner.
Set proper expectations with the occupants.: One of the most time consuming tasks of the appraisal process is setting an appointment with the current homeowner. Many current homeowners are clearly uneasy with the thought a stranger wants to come in their house, look around, and take abundant notes. One common belief is that they need to make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by, believing that will increase the value. And will put off the appraisal inspection until it is cleaned.

Hearing from you -- someone they've been working with on their loan -- some information 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 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 customers. Have them call us if they want to become familiar with our staff and services. And tell them it benefits them to set the appointment as quickly as possible!
Our website is a great resource for verifying your report's status.: 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. It's never been easier to keep track of the status of your report.