A Few Suggestions for Shorter Turn Times

The appraisal profession is constantly evolving. Often, it seems, appraisers are asked to present extra information or have steps added to their process. All of this is to guarantee the end user has the best data available. In order to keep up with the continuously changing requirements, Koutnik Appraisals is constantly researching new tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our clients. Since Koutnik Appraisals knows that time is important to everyone, below are a couple of things you can do to lessen turn times each time you order an appraisal with Koutnik Appraisals.

Order your appraisals electronically.: With online ordering, you automatically receive e-mail confirmations that the request was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip alone will save the most time! We don't have to retype information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether the order was received.
Are you providing complete and accurate data about the subject property?: There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to 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. We even welcome lists of recent sales from 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.
Be sure to let us know about the property's distinct features.: It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter home. What takes time is analyzing how unique features 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 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 faster.
Set proper expectations with the occupants.: 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 a stranger inspecting every square foot of their home, taking pictures, and making lots of notes. One common belief is that they have to make the place spotless before the appraisal inspection, with the belief that will make the house appraise higher. So they delay the appointment until they can get around to cleaning.

Coming directly from you -- someone they have 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 likely decrease the appraisal inspection time. Our website has numerous pages of useful information about the appraisal process for homeowners. I encourage you to share it with your clients. They can even call us if they want to familiarize themselves with the staff and our services. Remind them it's to their advantage to set the appointment soon!
Use our website to keep track of your report's status.: 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. It's never been easier to keep track of the status of your report.