Five Steps to Faster Turn Times

The appraisal profession is evolving constantly. Commonly, it seems, appraisers are asked to present extra information or have steps added to their process. They do this additional work to ensure the end user has the best data possible. To keep up with the always changing requirements, Timeline Appraisal Services, LLC is constantly seeking new tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for faster. At Timeline Appraisal Services, LLC we know that time is important to everybody, so we've listed some tips you can do to hasten the process on any appraisals you order with Timeline Appraisal Services, LLC.

Are you ordering appraisals online?: When you order online, you automatically receive e-mail notifications that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip single-handedly will save the most time! No longer do we have to re-key information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether we received the order.
Verify 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. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name is helpful information to pass long with your assignment. Even a list of recent sales from the area is welcome — though be advised that professional appraisers are lawfully required to do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.
Be sure to let us know about the unique characteristics of this property.: It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter home. What takes time is analyzing how unique features contribute 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 had a recent addition built on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's prone to flooding. These are things we would find out on our own anyway, and knowing them sooner makes your report arrive more quickly.
Did you make the homeowner of the home aware of what to expect?: One of the most tedious tasks of the appraisal process is setting an appointment with the homeowner. It's understandable for a homeowner to be apprehensive with a stranger inspecting every square foot of their home, taking photos, and making lots of notes. With the notion that it will increase the appraised value, some homeowners think they have to make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by. And will delay the appointment until they can get around to cleaning.

Hearing from you -- someone they are working with on their loan -- a little knowledge 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 time it takes to inspect a home. I encourage you to point your clients to this website, where we have multiple pages of relevant information for homeowners as well as others about the appraisal process. They can even call us if they want to meet the staff and learn more about our services. And tell them it's in their interest to set the appointment without delay!
Our website is a great resource for keeping tabs on 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 each important milestone in an assignment is completed, that information is instantly available to you online. It's never been easier to track the status of your report.