A Few Hints for Shorter Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. Often, it seems, appraisers are asked to provide additional information or have steps added to their data gathering. All to ensure the end user receives the best data available. In order to stay current with the always changing requirements, PSM Appraisals, LLC is always testing new tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our clients. Since PSM Appraisals, LLC knows that time is important to everyone, here are some tips you can do to accelerate the process every time you order an appraisal with PSM Appraisals, LLC.

Order your appraisals electronically.: With online ordering, you get automatic e-mail notifications that the request was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip alone will save the most time! We don't have to re-key information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether we received the request.
Are you providing complete and accurate information about the subject property?: Being just one number off 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 is great information to include 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 may differ from yours.
Are you telling us up front any elements of the property that might make it unique?: Cookie-cutter houses are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how unique elements 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 recently had an addition built on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's prone to flooding. While these are things that we'd find out on our own, knowing them early on will likely make your report arrive sooner.
What are you doing to make the occupants of the home aware of what to expect?: Confirming an appointment with the homeowner can be one of the most time consuming steps in the appraisal process. We understand that a homeowner may be apprehensive with a stranger inspecting every corner of their home, taking photos, and making abundant notes. With the belief that it will increase the appraised value, some homeowners think they need to make the place spotless before the appraisal inspection. And will put off the inspection until they have cleaned.

Hearing it directly from you -- the person they have been working with on their loan -- a little knowledge 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 go a long way toward trimming the time it takes to inspect a home. Our website has several pages of relevant information about the appraisal process for homeowners. Please feel free to share it with your customers. Have them call us if they want to become familiar with our staff and services. Remind them it's to their advantage to set the appointment soon!
Use our website to keep tabs on your report's status.: No more phone and fax tag. Up-to-the-minute status updates are available online, anytime, 24/7. As each important milestone in an assignment is completed, that information is instantly available to you online. It's never been easier to keep track of the status of your report.