Five Hints for Swifter Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. On a regular basis, it seems, appraisers are asked to include additional information or have steps added to their process. All of this is to ensure their client receives the best data possible. To stay current with the always changing requirements, PSM Appraisals, LLC is constantly researching new tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for quickly. Since PSM Appraisals, LLC knows that time is important to everyone, below are some tips you can do to hasten the process every time you order an appraisal from PSM Appraisals, LLC.

Are you ordering appraisals online?: With online ordering, you automatically get e-mail acknowledgements that the request was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This is the single biggest time saver available to both of us! No longer do we have to manually enter information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether the order was received.
Make sure that the subject property information is accurate and complete.: 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 great information to include with your assignment. We even welcome lists of recent sales in the area — remember, however, that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours might differ from yours.
Are you telling us up front any characteristics of the property that might make it distinct?: Cookie-cutter houses are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how details unique to a property contribute to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. At the time you order your report, be sure to let us know if there are unique elements of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition built on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's prone to flooding. While these are things that we will find out on our own, knowing them early on is likely to make your report arrive without delay.
Let the homeowner know what to expect.: One of the most tedious steps of the appraisal process is setting an inspection date with the homeowner. It's understandable for a homeowner to be uneasy with an outsider looking in every square foot of their home, taking pictures, and making copious notes. Under the impression that it will increase the appraised value, many homeowners believe they have to make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by. And will choose to not schedule the appointment until they can get around to cleaning.

Coming from you -- the person they have been working with on their loan -- a little bit about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't make it more likely their sale will close, and can decrease the time it takes to inspect a home. Our website has several pages of helpful information about the appraisal process for homeowners. Please feel free to share it with your clients. They can even call us if they want to meet the staff and learn more about our services. Remind them it benefits them to set the appointment quickly!
Use our website to keep track of 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 is available to you online. It's never been easier to track your report's status.