Five Steps to Shorter Turn Times

The appraisal profession is evolving at all times. Each year, it seems, appraisers are asked to present additional information or have steps added to their appraisal process. They do this extra work to ensure the end user has the best information available. In order to keep up with the always changing requirements, McLaughlin Property Valuation Services is constantly testing additional tools and improving processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. At McLaughlin Property Valuation Services we know that time is important to everybody, so we've listed some tips you can do to decrease turn times every time you order an appraisal from McLaughlin Property Valuation Services.

Always order your appraisals on the Internet.: When you order online, you automatically receive e-mail confirmations that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. It's the single biggest time saver available to both of us! No longer do we have to retype information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether the order was received.
Are you providing complete and accurate data about the subject property?: Having just one number incorrect on the street address can really 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. 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.
Be sure to tell us about the property's unique characteristics.: Cookie-cutter houses are relatively easy to appraise. 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 characteristics of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition constructed, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's predisposed to flooding. These are things we'll find out on our own anyway, and knowing them as early as possible makes your report arrive quicker.
Be sure the homeowner knows the the plan.: Confirming an appointment with the homeowner can be one of the most inefficient parts in the appraisal process. Some current homeowners are justifiably apprehensive with the fact a stranger wants to come in their house, look around, and make copious notes. Thinking that it will increase the value, some homeowners believe they have to make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by. So they delay the inspection until it is cleaned.

Hearing it 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 change their home's value one little bit, and likely shorten the appraisal inspection time. Our website has numerous pages of helpful 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 the staff and our services. Remind 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 each important milestone in an assignment is completed, that information is available to you online. It's never been easier to keep track of your report's status.