5 Hints for Faster Turn Times

The appraisal profession is evolving at all times. Often, it seems, appraisers are asked to include more information or have steps added to their data gathering - all to guarantee their client is presented with the best data possible. In order to keep up with the always changing requirements, Lone Star Appraisals is continuously seeking additional tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for quickly. Since Lone Star Appraisals knows that time is important to everyone, here are some things you can do to lower turn times when you order an appraisal with Lone Star Appraisals:

  1. Always order your appraisals on the Internet. By ordering online, you automatically get e-mail confirmations 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! No longer do we have to manually enter information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether we got the request.

  2. Confirm that the subject property data 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 pass along with the request. We even welcome lists of recent sales in the area — however, remember that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may be different from yours.

    3. If you have any questions about your property or an assignment we're working on for you, you're always welcome to contact us

  3. Let us know up front of the property's unique details. It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter home. What takes time is analyzing how differing features add 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 characteristics of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition built on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, and it's prone to flooding. These are things we will find out on our own anyway, and knowing them as soon as possible makes your report arrive quicker.

  4. Set proper expectations with the occupants. Setting an inspection time and date with the homeowner can be one of the most time consuming parts in the appraisal process. We understand that a homeowner may be uneasy with a stranger looking in every square foot of their home, taking photos, and making copious notes. One common belief is that they should make the place spotless before the inspection, thinking that will increase the appraised value and will choose to not schedule the appointment until they have cleaned.

    Hearing from you -- a trusted party with whom they already have a business relationship -- a little knowledge about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't make a significant difference in their home's value, will help move the process along for everyone. I encourage you to point your clients to our website, where we have many pages of relevant information for homeowners and others about the appraisal process. Encourage them to call us if they want to familiarize themselves with our staff and services. Remind them it benefits them to set the appointment as soon as possible!

  5. Our website is a great resource for following the status of your report. 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 available instantly to you online. It's never been easier to track the status of your report.