5 Tips for Swifter Turn Times

The appraisal profession is evolving at all times. Often, it seems, appraisers are asked to present more information or have steps added to their research. All of this is to guarantee their client has the best data possible. In order to keep up with the continuously changing requirements, Harris Appraisals LLC is constantly testing additional tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. Since Harris Appraisals LLC knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed a couple of things you can do to accelerate the process when you order an appraisal from Harris Appraisals LLC.

Always order your appraisals electronically.: When you order online, you automatically receive e-mail acknowledgements that the order 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 re-key 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.: Being just one number off on the street address can really unnecessarily slow down 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 in the area — though be advised that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours might differ from yours.
Be sure to tell us about the unique features of this property.: It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter house. Most of an appraiser's time is spent 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 recently had an addition put on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's predisposed to flooding. These are things we'll find out on our own anyway, and knowing them early on is likely to make your report arrive faster.
What are you doing to make the homeowner of the home aware of what to expect?: One of the most time consuming steps of the appraisal process is confirming an inspection date with the occupants of the home. We understand that a homeowner may be apprehensive with an unknown person looking in every square foot of their home, taking photos, and making copious notes. Believing that it will increase the appraised value, some homeowners feel they should make the place spotless before the inspection. So they put off the appointment until it is cleaned.

Hearing from you -- the person they are 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 time it takes to inspect a home. I encourage you to point your clients to this website, where we have many pages of useful information for homeowners as well as others about the appraisal process. They can even call us if they want to become familiar with the staff and our services. Remind them it's in their interest to set the appointment promptly!
Why not our website as a resource to follow your report's status?: No more phone and fax tag. Up-to-the-minute status updates are available online, anytime, 24/7. As we complete each important milestone in an assignment, that information is available instantly to you online. It's never been easier to track the status of your report.