5 Tips for Shorter Turn Times

The appraisal profession is always evolving. Every year, it seems, appraisers are asked to present more information or have steps added to their data gathering. All of this is to guarantee the end user is presented with the best data available. To keep up with the constantly changing requirements, Palma-Lazar Appraisal is continuously researching new tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our customers. At Palma-Lazar Appraisal we know that time is important to everybody, so we've listed a handful of things you can do to decrease turn times on any appraisals you order from Palma-Lazar Appraisal.

Are you ordering appraisals online?: When you order online, you get automatic e-mail notifications that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip alone will save the most time! We don't have to manually enter information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether we received the request.
Make sure 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. 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. We even welcome lists of recent sales in the area — though be advised that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may be different 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. When you order your report, let us know if there are unique elements 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 more quickly.
Set proper expectations with the homeowner.: One of the most time consuming parts of the appraisal process is confirming an inspection date with the homeowner. It's understandable for a homeowner to be uneasy with an unknown person inspecting every corner of their home, taking photos, and making copious notes. One common belief is that they must make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by, with the notion that will increase the value. So they choose to not schedule the inspection until the house is cleaned.

Coming directly from you -- someone 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 shorten the appraisal inspection time. Our website has multiple pages of relevant information about the appraisal process for homeowners. I encourage you to share it with your clients. Have them 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!
Use our website to track your report's status.: No more phone and fax tag. Up-to-the-minute status updates are available online, anytime, 24/7. As we complete each important milestone in an assignment, that information is available to you online. It's never been easier and faster to keep track of the status of your report.