A Few Tips for Quicker Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. On a regular basis, it seems, appraisers are asked to offer more information or have steps added to their data gathering. All to guarantee their client gets the best information possible. To keep up with the constantly changing requirements, DMP Appraisal Services, Inc. is always researching new tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for more efficiently. At DMP Appraisal Services, Inc. we know that time is important to everybody, so here are some items you can do to decrease turn times when you order an appraisal with DMP Appraisal Services, Inc..

Order your appraisals on the Internet.: With online ordering, you automatically get e-mail acknowledgements 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 re-key information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether we got the order.
Confirm that the subject property data is accurate and complete.: There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to unnecessarily slow down an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name are great data to include with the assignment. We even welcome lists of recent sales in the area — though be advised that professional appraisers are lawfully required to do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may be different from yours.
Be sure to let us know about the unique elements of this property.: Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how differing features contribute to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. When ordering your report, 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 susceptible to flooding. These are things we will find out on our own anyway, and knowing them as soon as possible is likely to make your report arrive earlier.
Do the occupants know what to expect?: One of the most inefficient steps of the appraisal process is confirming an appointment with the occupants of the home. It's understandable for a homeowner to be apprehensive with an unknown person inspecting every square foot of their home, taking photos, and making abundant notes. Under the belief that it will increase the appraised value, a few homeowners feel they must make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by. So they reschedule the appointment until they have cleaned.

Coming from you -- a person they are working with on their loan -- a short explanation about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't make it more likely their sale will close, and likely decrease the appraisal inspection time. Our website has many pages of useful information about the appraisal process for homeowners. I encourage you to share it with your customers. They can even call us if they want to meet our staff and learn more about our services. And tell them it benefits them to set the appointment promptly!
Are you using our website as a resource to verify the status of your report?: 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 keep track of the status of your report.