Some Hints for Faster Turn Times

The appraisal profession is continuously evolving. Often, it seems, appraisers are asked to provide more information or have steps added to their research. They do this extra work to ensure the end user gets the most useful analysis that can be achieved. In order to keep up with the always changing requirements, W. Eric Howard & Associates is constantly researching additional tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our clients. Since W. Eric Howard & Associates knows that time is important to everyone, below are a handful of things you can do to decrease turn times on any appraisals ordered from W. Eric Howard & Associates:

Always order your appraisals on the Internet. By ordering online, you get automatic e-mail confirmations that the order was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. Online ordering is the single biggest time saver available to both of us! No longer do we have to manually enter 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? Having just one number incorrect on the street address can really add unnecessary time to an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name is great information to pass along with the request. We even welcome lists of recent sales in the area — though be advised that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may be different from yours.


	You're always welcome to call us at (410) 551-5127 if you have any questions about your property or an assignment we're working on for you.

Are you letting us know up front any elements of the property that might make it unique? It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter home. What takes time is analyzing how unique features add to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. Let us know up front when you order your report if there are unique features of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition built on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, and it's prone to flooding. These are things we will find out on our own anyway, and knowing them early on will likely make your report arrive quicker.
Do the occupants know what to expect? One of the most inefficient steps of the appraisal process is confirming an inspection date with the homeowner. It's understandable for a homeowner to be uncomfortable with an unknown person looking in every corner of their home, taking pictures, and making numerous notes. A common belief is that they have to make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by, under the impression that will increase the value . So they delay the appointment until it is cleaned.

Hearing from you -- a trusted party with whom they are already working -- a short explanation about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't increase their home's value one bit, will help move the process along for everyone. Our website has several pages of useful information about the appraisal process for homeowners. Please feel free to share it with your customers. They can even call us if they want to familiarize themselves with the staff and our services. And tell them it's to their advantage to set the appointment without delay!
Are you using our website as a resource 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 can be viewed instantly online. It's never been easier to track the status of your report.