Five Hints for Faster Turn Times

The appraisal profession is evolving at all times. Regularly, it seems, appraisers are asked to offer extra information or have steps added to their research. All of this is to guarantee the end user is presented with the best data possible. To stay current with the constantly changing requirements, Howell Appraisal, Inc. is constantly researching new tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. Since Howell Appraisal, Inc. knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed a few things you can do to lessen turn times on any appraisals you order with Howell Appraisal, Inc..

Order your appraisals online.: With online ordering, you get automatic e-mail acknowledgements that the order was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. It's the single biggest time saver available to both of us! We don't have to retype information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether the order was received.
Complete and accurate subject property data is essential.: There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to add unnecessary time to an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name is helpful information to pass long with the request. Even a list of recent sales in the area is welcome — remember, however, that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may be different from yours.
Be sure to tell us about the property's distinct characteristics.: It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter house. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how differing elements 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 features of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition put on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's susceptible to flooding. While these are things that we would find out on our own, knowing them as soon as possible is likely to make your report arrive quicker.
Do the occupants know what to expect?: One of the most time consuming tasks of the appraisal process is setting an inspection date with the occupants of the home. We understand that a homeowner may be uneasy with a stranger inspecting every corner of their home, taking pictures, and making abundant notes. One common belief is that they must make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by, believing that will increase the value. So they delay the appointment until it is cleaned.

Coming directly from you -- the person they've been working with on their loan -- a short explanation 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 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 customers. They can even call us if they want to meet our staff and learn more about our services. Remind them it benefits them to set the appointment as soon as possible!
Use our website to verify 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 instantly available to you online. There's no easier or faster way to keep track of your report's status.