5 Tips for Swifter Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. On a regular basis, it seems, appraisers are asked to supply more information or have steps added to their data gathering - all to guarantee their client is presented with the best information. To keep up with the constantly changing requirements, Horizon Appraisals is constantly testing additional tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our customers. At Horizon Appraisals we know that time is important to everybody, so we've listed some things you can do to decrease turn times on any appraisals you order with Horizon Appraisals:

Are you ordering appraisals online? By ordering online, you receive automatic e-mail acknowledgements that the request 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 nor will you wonder whether the order was received.
Verify that the subject property data is accurate and complete. 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 — however, remember that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may be different from yours.


	You're always free to contact us if you have any questions about your property or a job we're working on for you.

Are you letting us know up front any elements of the property that might make it distinct? Cookie-cutter houses are relatively easy to appraise. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how details 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 details of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition built on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, and 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.
Do the occupants know what to expect? Confirming an appointment with the homeowner can be one of the most inefficient tasks in the appraisal process. We understand that a homeowner may be apprehensive with an unknown person inspecting every square foot of their home, taking pictures, and making copious notes. Under the impression that it will make the house appraise higher, many homeowners believe they ought to make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by and will put off the inspection until the house is cleaned.

Hearing from you -- a trusted party with whom they already have a business relationship -- a little info about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't make a significant difference in their home's value, will help move the process along for everyone. I encourage you to point your clients to our website, where we have lots of pages of relevant information for homeowners as well as others regarding the appraisal process. Have them call us if they want to familiarize themselves with our staff and services. And tell them it's in their interest to set the appointment quickly!
Easily verify the status of your report on our website. Phone and fax tag are a thing of the past with up-to-the-minute status updates available online, anytime, 24/7. As each important milestone in an assignment is completed, that information can be viewed instantly online. It's never been easier to keep track of the status of your report.