Some Suggestions for Quicker Turn Times

The appraisal profession is evolving constantly. Regularly, it seems, appraisers are asked to present extra information or have steps added to their data gathering. They do this extra work to guarantee their client is presented with the best data available. To stay current with the constantly changing requirements, Tim Brown is continuously seeking new tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. Since Tim Brown knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed a few items you can do to lower turn times every time you order an appraisal with Tim Brown.

Order your appraisals online.: When you order online, you get automatic e-mail notifications that the order 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 you don't have to wonder whether the order was received.
Are you providing complete and accurate information about the subject property?: Being just one number off on the street address can really unnecessarily interrupt 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. Even a list of recent area sales is welcome — though be advised that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.
Are you letting us know up front any features of the property that might make it unique?: It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter house. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how differing features 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 put on, 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 early as possible makes your report arrive faster.
Let the occupants know what to expect.: Confirming an appointment with the homeowner can be one of the most time consuming steps in the appraisal process. It's understandable for a homeowner to be uneasy with an unknown person inspecting every corner of their home, taking pictures, and making lots of notes. One common belief is that they have to make the place spotless before the inspection, thinking that will increase the appraised value. And will choose to not schedule the appointment until the house is cleaned.

Coming from you -- the 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 change their home's value one little bit, and likely shorten the time it takes to inspect a home. I encourage you to point your clients to this website, where we have several pages of helpful information for homeowners and others describing the appraisal process. Have them call us if they want to familiarize themselves with the staff and our services. Remind them it's in their interest to set the appointment quickly!
Easily verify the status of your report on our website.: Phone and fax tag are a thing of the past with 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. It's never been easier to keep track of the status of your report.