5 Tips for Shorter Turn Times

The appraisal profession is evolving at all times. Every year, it seems, appraisers are asked to supply extra information or have steps added to their appraisal process. All of this is to guarantee the end user is presented with the best information to be had. To stay current with the constantly changing requirements, CD Hilburn is constantly researching new tools and tweaking processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our customers. At CD Hilburn we know that time is important to everybody, so below are some tips you can do to reduce turn times on any appraisals you order from CD Hilburn.

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 single-handedly will save the most time! We don't have to retype information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether we received the order.
Are you providing complete and accurate information about the subject property?: 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 long with your assignment. We even welcome lists of recent sales from the area — remember, however, that professional appraisers are lawfully required to do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours might differ from yours.
Are you telling us up front any elements 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 elements unique to a property 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 elements of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition built on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's predisposed to flooding. While these are things that we'll find out on our own, knowing them sooner makes your report arrive quicker.
Does the homeowner know what to expect?: Confirming an inspection time and date with the homeowner can be one of the most time consuming steps in the appraisal process. Many homeowners are clearly uncomfortable with the idea a stranger wants to come in their house, look around, and take numerous notes. Under the impression that it will make the house appraise higher, many homeowners think they ought to make the place spotless before the appraisal inspection. So they put off the appointment until it is cleaned.

Coming directly from you -- someone 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 can go a long way toward trimming the time it takes to inspect a home. Our website has multiple pages of relevant information about the appraisal process for homeowners. I encourage you to share it with your clients. Advise them to call us if they want to become familiar with the staff and our services. Remind them it's to their benefit to set the appointment quickly!
Easily track 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 each important milestone in an assignment is completed, that information is available to you online. There's no faster way to track your report's status.