Five Hints for Swifter Turn Times

Appraising is an always changing profession. Regularly, it seems, appraisers are asked to include extra information or have steps added to their data gathering. All to guarantee the end user is presented with the best data to be had. To stay current with the continuously changing requirements, Metric Appraisals, LLC is always seeking new tools and improving processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our customers. At Metric Appraisals, LLC we know that time is important to everybody, so below are some items you can do to reduce turn times whenever you order an appraisal from Metric Appraisals, LLC.

Order your appraisals electronically.: With online ordering, you get automatic 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 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.: 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 are good data to pass long with your request. Even a list of recent sales in the area 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.
Tell us up front of the property's distinct characteristics.: Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how unique details 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 features of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition built on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's predisposed to flooding. These are things we will find out on our own anyway, and knowing them sooner makes your report arrive faster.
Be sure the occupants know the the plan.: Setting an inspection time and date with the homeowner can be one of the most inefficient tasks in the appraisal process. Many homeowners are justifiably apprehensive with the thought an unknown persons wants to come in their home, look around, and make numerous notes. Not uncommonly they think they have to make the place spotless before the appraisal inspection, with the notion that will increase the appraised value. And will put off the appraisal inspection until they can get around to cleaning.

Coming directly from you -- a person they've been working with on their loan -- a short explanation about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't affect their home's value one little bit, and can decrease the appraisal inspection time. Our website has multiple pages of useful information about the appraisal process for homeowners. I encourage you to share it with your customers. Tell them to call us if they want to familiarize themselves with our staff and services. And tell them it benefits them to set the appointment as soon as possible!
Why not our website as a resource to follow 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 can be viewed instantly online. It's never been easier to track your report's status.