5 Steps to Faster Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. Each year, it seems, appraisers are asked to include extra information or have steps added to their data gathering. They do this additional work to ensure their client receives the best information to be had. In order to keep up with the constantly changing requirements, Galloway Appraisal is constantly researching new tools and tweaking processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for faster. Since Galloway Appraisal knows that time is important to everyone, below are a few tips you can do to decrease turn times on any appraisals ordered from Galloway Appraisal.

Always order your appraisals electronically.: When you order online, you automatically get e-mail acknowledgements that the request was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. It's the single biggest time saver available to both of us! We don't have to re-key information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether the order was received.
Complete and accurate subject property information is key.: There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to 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.
Be sure to tell us about the unique characteristics of this property.: Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how unique features 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 elements of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an 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.
Let the occupants know what to expect.: Confirming an inspection time and date with the homeowner can be one of the most time consuming tasks in the appraisal process. It's understandable for a homeowner to be apprehensive with an unknown person looking in every corner of their home, taking pictures, and making numerous notes. With the idea that it will increase the value, some homeowners believe they need to make the place spotless before the appraisal inspection. So they choose to not schedule the appraisal inspection until the house is cleaned.

Hearing it directly from you -- someone they have been working with on their loan -- a little info 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 decrease the appraisal inspection time. Our website has many pages of relevant information about the appraisal process for homeowners. I encourage you to share it with your clients. Have them call us if they want to become familiar with the staff and our services. And tell them it benefits them to set the appointment promptly!
Use our website to follow your report's status.: 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 is available instantly to you online. It's never been easier to keep track of your report's status.