Five Suggestions for Shorter Turn Times

The appraisal profession is always evolving. Often, it seems, appraisers are asked to supply more information or have steps added to their appraisal process. All of this is to guarantee the end user receives the best data possible. To keep up with the constantly changing requirements, Timeline Appraisal Services, LLC is continuously researching additional tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. Since Timeline Appraisal Services, LLC knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed a couple of tips you can do to hasten the process on any appraisals you order from Timeline Appraisal Services, LLC.

Are you ordering appraisals online?: When you order online, you get automatic e-mail confirmations that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip alone will save the most time! No longer do we have to re-key information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether we got the order.
Are you providing complete and accurate data about the subject property?: 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 great information to pass long with the request. Even a list of recent area sales is welcome — remember, however, that professional appraisers are lawfully required to do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.
Are you letting us know up front any characteristics of the property that might make it unique?: Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how characteristics unique to a property contribute to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. When you order your report, let us know if there are unique features of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition constructed, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's prone to flooding. These are things we'll find out on our own anyway, and knowing them as soon as possible makes your report arrive more quickly.
Set proper expectations with the homeowner.: Confirming an appointment with the homeowner can be one of the most time consuming steps in the appraisal process. Many homeowners are justifiably apprehensive with the thought an unknown persons wants to come in their home, look around, and take lots of notes. Thinking that it will increase the value, some homeowners feel they need to make the place spotless before the inspection. So they delay the inspection until it is cleaned.

Coming directly from you -- the person they've been working with on their loan -- some information about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't change their home's value one little bit, and can decrease the time it takes to inspect a home. Please feel free to point your clients to this website, where we have lots of pages of relevant information for homeowners as well as others regarding the appraisal process. Advise them to call us if they want to familiarize themselves with our staff and services. And tell them it's in their interest to set the appointment soon!
Easily keep tabs on the status of your report on our website.: 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 is available to you online. There's no faster or easier way to track your report's status.