Five Tips for Faster Turn Times

The appraisal profession is always evolving. Often, it seems, appraisers are asked to supply additional information or have steps added to their data gathering. They do this extra work to ensure the end user has the best information possible. In order to stay current with the continuously changing requirements, Sommer Valuation LLC is constantly acquiring additional tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for in less time. At Sommer Valuation LLC we know that time is important to everybody, so we've listed some things you can do to reduce turn times on any appraisals ordered from Sommer Valuation LLC.

Are you ordering appraisals online?: When you order online, you automatically receive e-mail notifications that the request 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 nor will you wonder whether the order was received.
Complete and accurate subject property data is crucial.: Having just one number incorrect on the street address can really unnecessarily interrupt 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 area sales is welcome — 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 property's unique characteristics.: It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter home. What takes time is analyzing how elements unique to a property 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 characteristics 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'd find out on our own anyway, and knowing them early on is likely to make your report arrive earlier.
Let the homeowner know what to expect.: Confirming an appointment with the homeowner can be one of the most tedious steps in the appraisal process. It's understandable for a homeowner to be uneasy with a stranger inspecting every square foot of their home, taking photos, and making lots of notes. Many commonly think they should make the place spotless before the appraisal inspection, with the idea that will increase the appraised value. So they choose to not schedule the appointment until the house is cleaned.

Hearing from you -- the person they've been working with on their loan -- a little bit about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't affect their home's value one little bit, and likely go a long way toward trimming the time it takes to inspect a home. 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 familiarize themselves with our staff and services. Remind them it's in their interest to set the appointment soon!
Easily track the status of your report on our website.: 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. It's never been easier to keep track of the status of your report.