A Few Tips for Faster Turn Times

The appraisal profession is constantly evolving. Commonly, it seems, appraisers are asked to present additional information or have steps added to their data gathering. All to ensure their client gets the best information available. To keep up with the always changing requirements, JM Real Estate Service is continuously acquiring new tools and tweaking processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for in less time. At JM Real Estate Service we know that time is important to everybody, so here are a few items you can do to lower turn times on any appraisals you order from JM Real Estate Service.

Always order your appraisals electronically.: With online ordering, you automatically receive e-mail acknowledgements 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 retype information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether we got the order.
Are you providing complete and accurate information about the subject property?: Having just one number incorrect on the street address can really unnecessarily slow down an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name are great data to pass long with the assignment. Even a list of recent area sales is welcome — 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 unique features.: Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how differing details contribute 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 elements of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition built on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's prone to flooding. These are things we'll find out on our own anyway, and knowing them sooner makes your report arrive faster.
Be sure the homeowner knows the the plan.: Setting an appointment with the homeowner can be one of the most inefficient parts in the appraisal process. Some current homeowners are clearly apprehensive with the notion an unknown persons wants to come in their home, look around, and make lots of notes. Not uncommonly they think they must make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by, thinking that will increase the appraised value. And will reschedule the appraisal inspection until it is cleaned.

Hearing from you -- a person they've been working with on their loan -- some info 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 go a long way toward trimming the time it takes to inspect a home. Our website has lots of pages of useful information about the appraisal process for homeowners. Please feel free to share it with your customers. They can even call us if they want to meet the staff and learn more about our services. Remind them it's to their benefit to set the appointment quickly!
Use our website to follow your report's status.: Phone and fax tag are a thing of the past with 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. There's no faster or easier way to track the status of your report.