Five Hints for Shorter Turn Times

The appraisal profession is always evolving. Regularly, it seems, appraisers are asked to supply more information or have steps added to their process. They do this extra work to guarantee their client is presented with the best information to be had. In order to keep up with the always changing requirements, Real Property Metrics is constantly researching additional tools and improving processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. At Real Property Metrics we know that time is important to everybody, so we've listed some things you can do to accelerate the process on any appraisals ordered with Real Property Metrics.

Are you ordering appraisals online?: When you order online, you receive automatic e-mail confirmations that the request was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. It's the single biggest time saver available to both of us! No longer do we have to retype information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether we got the request.
Verify that the subject property data is accurate and complete.: Having just one number incorrect 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. We even welcome lists of recent sales from the area — though be advised 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 details.: Cookie-cutter houses are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how features unique to a property contribute to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. When you order your report, let us know if there are unique elements of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition constructed, 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 will likely make your report arrive without delay.
Do the occupants 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. We understand that a homeowner may be apprehensive with a stranger looking in every corner of their home, taking photos, and making copious notes. With the belief that it will increase the appraised value, many homeowners believe they must make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by. So they reschedule the appraisal inspection until it is cleaned.

Coming from you -- a person they've been working with on their loan -- a little bit 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 time it takes to inspect a home. I encourage you to point them to our website, where we have lots of pages of useful information for homeowners as well as others describing the appraisal process. Advise them to call us if they want to become familiar with our staff and services. And tell them it benefits them to set the appointment as soon as possible!
Easily track the status of your report on our website.: 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 can be viewed instantly online. There's no easier way to track your report's status.