5 Hints for Shorter Turn Times

Appraising is an always changing profession. Often, it seems, appraisers are asked to present extra information or have steps added to their data gathering. All to guarantee their client is presented with the best information possible. In order to keep up with the continuously changing requirements, PSM Appraisals, LLC is always seeking additional tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for faster. Since PSM Appraisals, LLC knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed some tips you can do to hasten the process on any appraisals you order with PSM Appraisals, LLC.

Always order your appraisals electronically.: With online ordering, you automatically get e-mail acknowledgements that the order was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. Ordering online is 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 key.: 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 include with your request. We even welcome lists of recent sales from the area — remember, however, that professional appraisers are lawfully required to do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may be different from yours.
Let us know up front of the property's distinct elements.: Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how details unique to a property 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 characteristics of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition constructed, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's susceptible to flooding. These are things we will find out on our own anyway, and knowing them as early as possible is likely to make your report arrive more quickly.
Do the occupants know what to expect?: One of the most tedious steps of the appraisal process is confirming an appointment with the current homeowner. It's understandable for a homeowner to be uneasy with a stranger inspecting every square foot of their home, taking photos, and making abundant notes. One common belief is that they must make the place spotless before the inspection, under the impression that will make the house appraise higher. And will reschedule the appraisal inspection until it is cleaned.

Hearing from you -- a person they have been working with on their loan -- a little information about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't increase their home's value one little bit, and likely shorten the time it takes to inspect a home. Our website has multiple pages of relevant information about the appraisal process for homeowners. Please feel free to share it with your clients. Encourage them to call us if they want to meet the staff and learn more about our services. And tell them it benefits them to set the appointment promptly!
Our website is a great resource for tracking 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 we complete each important milestone in an assignment, that information can be viewed instantly online. It's never been easier and faster to keep track of the status of your report.