5 Hints for Quicker Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. Every year, it seems, appraisers are asked to present additional information or have steps added to their appraisal process. All to ensure the end user receives the best information to be had. To stay current with the always changing requirements, Timeline Appraisal Services, LLC is constantly researching additional tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. Since Timeline Appraisal Services, LLC knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed a few things you can do to speed up the process on any appraisals ordered with Timeline Appraisal Services, LLC.

Are you ordering appraisals online?: With online ordering, you receive automatic e-mail acknowledgements that the request was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. Ordering online is the single biggest time saver available to both of us! We don't have to retype information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether the order was received.
Complete and accurate subject property data is key.: 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. 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 differ from yours.
Are you letting us know up front any characteristics of the property that might make it unique?: It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter house. What takes time is analyzing how differing elements add to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. Let us know up front when you order your report 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 susceptible to flooding. These are things we'd find out on our own anyway, and knowing them sooner is likely to make your report arrive without delay.
What are you doing to make the occupants of the home aware of what to expect?: Setting an appointment with the homeowner can be one of the most inefficient parts in the appraisal process. Some current homeowners are justifiably uncomfortable with the thought an unknown persons wants to come in their house, look around, and make copious notes. Some think they ought to make the place spotless before the inspection, with the notion that will make the house appraise for more money. And will reschedule the appointment until the house is cleaned.

Hearing from you -- the 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 can shorten 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 customers. Have them call us if they want to meet our staff and learn more about our services. And tell them it's in their interest to set the appointment soon!
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 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.