Some Suggestions for Shorter Turn Times

The appraisal profession is continuously evolving. Often, it seems, appraisers are asked to include extra information or have steps added to their data gathering. All of this is to guarantee the end user is presented with the best data available. To keep up with the always changing requirements, Hub City Appraisals is constantly seeking new tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for in less time. Since Hub City Appraisals knows that time is important to everyone, here are a few items you can do to lessen turn times on any appraisals you order from Hub City Appraisals .

Always order your appraisals electronically.: By ordering online, you automatically get e-mail confirmations that the request was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This is the single biggest time saver available to both of us! We don't have to manually enter information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether the order was received.
Are you providing complete and accurate data about the subject property?: 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 sales in 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 be different from yours.
Let us know up front of the property's unique characteristics.: Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how differing features 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 features of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition constructed, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's predisposed to flooding. These are things we'll find out on our own anyway, and knowing them as soon as possible will likely make your report arrive sooner.
Do the occupants know what to expect?: Confirming an appointment with the homeowner can be one of the most tedious parts in the appraisal process. It's understandable for a homeowner to be apprehensive with a stranger looking in every corner of their home, taking pictures, and making lots of notes. With the idea that it will increase the appraised value, a few homeowners think they ought to make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by. And will delay the appraisal inspection until the house is cleaned.

Coming from you -- a person they are 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 likely shorten the appraisal inspection time. I encourage you to point them to our website, where we have several pages of useful information for homeowners as well as others regarding the appraisal process. Have them call us if they want to meet the staff and learn more about our services. Remind them it's to their benefit to set the appointment without delay!
Use our website to track your report's status.: 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 can be viewed instantly online. There's no easier or faster way to track the status of your report.