5 Hints for Shorter Turn Times

Appraising is an always changing profession. On a regular basis, it seems, appraisers are asked to include extra information or have steps added to their appraisal process. All of this is to guarantee the end user gets the best information to be had. In order to keep up with the constantly changing requirements, Brown Appraisal Services is continuously testing additional tools and improving processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our customers. Since Brown Appraisal Services knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed some things you can do to lessen turn times on any appraisals you order from Brown Appraisal Services.

Are you ordering appraisals online?: When you order online, you get automatic 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 manually enter information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether we received the request.
Complete and accurate subject property data is essential.: 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 is good information to include with the assignment. Even a list of recent sales from the area is welcome — though be advised 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?: It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter home. What takes time is 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 ordering your report if there are unique details of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition put on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's predisposed to flooding. These are things we would find out on our own anyway, and knowing them sooner is likely to make your report arrive earlier.
Set proper expectations with the occupants.: Setting an appointment with the homeowner can be one of the most tedious parts in the appraisal process. It's understandable for a homeowner to be uncomfortable with a stranger looking in every corner of their home, taking pictures, and making copious notes. Not uncommonly they think they ought to make the place spotless before the appraisal inspection, under the impression that will increase the value. So they delay the inspection until it is cleaned.

Coming directly from you -- a 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 likely decrease the appraisal inspection time. I encourage you to point them to this website, where we have lots of pages of relevant information for homeowners and others regarding the appraisal process. Advise them to call us if they want to become familiar with the staff and our services. And tell them it's to their benefit to set the appointment promptly!
Why not our website as a resource to track 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 each important milestone in an assignment is completed, that information can be viewed instantly online. There's no faster way to keep track of your report's status.