Some Steps to Faster Turn Times

The appraisal profession is evolving at all times. Regularly, it seems, appraisers are asked to offer extra information or have steps added to their appraisal process. They do this additional work to ensure the end user receives the best data. To stay current with the always changing requirements, Herbert Martin is constantly testing new tools and improving processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. At Herbert Martin we know that time is important to everybody, so we've listed some things you can do to trim turn times whenever you order an appraisal from Herbert Martin:

Are you ordering appraisals online? With online ordering, you automatically get e-mail notifications that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This is 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 we received the order.
Are you providing complete and accurate data about the subject property? Being just one number off on the street address can really add unnecessary time to an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name are good data to include with the request. We even welcome lists of recent sales in the area — however, remember that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.


	If you have any questions about your property or a job we're working on for you, feel free to contact us

Let us know up front of the property's unique features. Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how unique elements contribute 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 characteristics of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition constructed, it's subject to zoning restrictions, and it's predisposed to flooding. These are things we'd find out on our own anyway, and knowing them sooner makes your report arrive more quickly.
Set proper expectations with the homeowner. One of the most inefficient steps of the appraisal process is confirming an inspection date with the homeowner. Many homeowners are understandably uncomfortable with the idea that an outsider wants to come in their house, look around, and make numerous notes. Many commonly think they have to make the place spotless before the appraisal inspection, having the thought that will increase the appraised value and will choose to not schedule the inspection until they can get around to cleaning.

Hearing from you -- a trusted party with whom they are already working -- a short explanation about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't change their home's value one bit, will help move the process along for everyone. I encourage you to point them to our website, where we have several pages of relevant information for homeowners as well as others regarding the appraisal process. Have them call us if they want to meet our staff and learn more about our services. Remind them it benefits them to set the appointment as quickly as possible!
Are you using our website as a resource to keep track of the status of your report? No more phone and fax tag. Up-to-the-minute status updates are available online, anytime, 24/7. As we complete each important milestone in an assignment, that information is available to you online. It's never been easier and faster to keep track of the status of your report.