5 Suggestions for Shorter Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. Each year, it seems, appraisers are asked to present additional information or have steps added to their process. All to ensure the end user is presented with the best information available. In order to keep up with the constantly changing requirements, Romano & Associates is always testing new tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our customers. At Romano & Associates we know that time is important to everybody, so we've listed some tips you can do to accelerate the process on any appraisals ordered with Romano & Associates.

Are you ordering appraisals online?: By ordering online, you automatically receive e-mail notifications that the order was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip single-handedly will save the most time! 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 information about the subject property?: 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 the request. We even welcome lists of recent sales from the area — remember, however, 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 characteristics of the property that might make it distinct?: Cookie-cutter houses are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how differing details contribute to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. At the time you order your report, be sure to let us know if there are unique elements of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent 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 early on is likely to make your report arrive more quickly.
Be sure the homeowner knows the the plan.: Setting an inspection time and date with the homeowner can be one of the most inefficient parts in the appraisal process. We understand that a homeowner may be uncomfortable with an outsider inspecting every corner of their home, taking pictures, and making lots of notes. Some think they have to make the place spotless before the appraisal inspection, under the impression that will make the house appraise higher. And will choose to not schedule the appraisal inspection until the house is cleaned.

Coming directly from you -- a person they are 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 several 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 meet our staff and learn more about our services. And tell them it benefits them to set the appointment soon!
Use our website to keep track of your report's status.: Phone and fax tag are a thing of the past with up-to-the-minute status updates available online, anytime, 24/7. As each important milestone in an assignment is completed, that information is available to you online. There's no faster or easier way to keep track of your report's status.