5 Hints for Shorter Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. On a regular basis, it seems, appraisers are asked to include additional information or have steps added to their process. All of this is to guarantee the end user has the best data available. To stay current with the continuously changing requirements, H.M. Hoffman & Company is continuously researching new tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our customers. Since H.M. Hoffman & Company knows that time is important to everyone, here are a handful of items you can do to lessen turn times every time you order an appraisal with H.M. Hoffman & Company.

Always order your appraisals electronically.: By ordering online, you receive automatic e-mail confirmations that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. Online ordering 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 we got the request.
Verify that the subject property information is accurate and complete.: There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to add unnecessary time to an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name are great data to include with the assignment. We even welcome lists of recent sales in the area — though be advised that professional appraisers are lawfully required to do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.
Are you telling us up front any features of the property that might make it unique?: Cookie-cutter houses are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how characteristics unique to a property contribute 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 features of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition put on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's prone to flooding. These are things we'd find out on our own anyway, and knowing them early on makes your report arrive more quickly.
Does the homeowner know what to expect?: One of the most tedious steps of the appraisal process is setting an inspection date with the occupants of the home. We understand that a homeowner may be uncomfortable with a stranger looking in every corner of their home, taking photos, and making copious notes. One common belief is that they should make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by, with the belief that will increase the appraised value. So they reschedule the inspection until they can get around to cleaning.

Hearing it directly from you -- the person they've been working with on their loan -- a little knowledge 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 appraisal inspection time. Our website has multiple pages of helpful information about the appraisal process for homeowners. Please feel free to share it with your customers. Tell them to call us if they want to meet the 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.: No more phone and fax tag. Up-to-the-minute status updates are 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 track the status of your report.