Five Tips for Shorter Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. On a regular basis, it seems, appraisers are asked to present more information or have steps added to their data gathering. They do this extra work to guarantee their client is presented with the best information possible. In order to stay current with the always changing requirements, Shane Gilbert is continuously researching additional tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our customers. Since Shane Gilbert knows that time is important to everyone, here are some things you can do to trim turn times on any appraisals ordered with Shane Gilbert.

Order your appraisals online.: With online ordering, you get automatic e-mail acknowledgements that the order was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip single-handedly will save the most time! No longer do we have to manually enter information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether we received the order.
Confirm that the subject property information is accurate and complete.: There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to unnecessarily slow down an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name are good data to pass long with your request. Even a list of recent sales from the area is welcome — though be advised that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours might differ from yours.
Let us know up front of the property's unique features.: It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter house. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how characteristics 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 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 would find out on our own anyway, and knowing them as early as possible makes your report arrive without delay.
Be sure the homeowner knows the the plan.: One of the most inefficient steps of the appraisal process is confirming an inspection date with the occupants of the home. Many homeowners are clearly apprehensive with the fact an outsider wants to come in their home, look around, and take copious notes. One common belief is that they must make the place spotless before the appraisal inspection, believing that will increase the value. And will delay the appraisal inspection until it is cleaned.

Hearing it directly from you -- someone they've been working with on their loan -- some information about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't increase their home's value one little bit, and can decrease the time it takes to inspect a home. Please feel free to point them to our website, where we have multiple pages of helpful information for homeowners as well as others describing the appraisal process. They can even call us if they want to meet the staff and learn more about our services. Remind them it benefits them to set the appointment as quickly as possible!
Easily follow the status of your report on our website.: 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 to you online. There's no faster way to keep track of the status of your report.