5 Suggestions for Shorter Turn Times

The appraisal profession is always evolving. Commonly, it seems, appraisers are asked to offer extra information or have steps added to their process. They do this additional work to ensure the end user receives the best information possible. In order to stay current with the always changing requirements, R.M. Rose is continuously acquiring additional tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for faster. Since R.M. Rose knows that time is important to everyone, here are some tips you can do to lessen turn times on any appraisals ordered with R.M. Rose.

Always order your appraisals on the Internet.: With online ordering, you get automatic e-mail confirmations 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 re-key information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether we got the order.
Verify that the subject property information is accurate and complete.: There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to unnecessarily delay an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name are great data to pass long with the request. Even a list of recent sales from the area is welcome — remember, however, 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 unique details of this property.: It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter house. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how elements unique to a property add 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 built on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's predisposed to flooding. While these are things that we would find out on our own, knowing them as soon as possible makes your report arrive quicker.
Set proper expectations with the homeowner.: Confirming an inspection time and date with the homeowner can be one of the most tedious tasks in the appraisal process. We understand that a homeowner may be uneasy with an unknown person inspecting every square foot of their home, taking pictures, and making numerous notes. Thinking that it will make the house appraise for more money, some homeowners think they have to make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by. And will choose to not schedule the inspection until the house is cleaned.

Coming directly from you -- someone they've been working with on their loan -- some info about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't change their home's value one little bit, and can decrease the appraisal inspection time. I encourage you to point them to this website, where we have many pages of useful information for homeowners as well as others about the appraisal process. Tell them to call us if they want to meet our staff and learn more about our services. Remind them it's to their benefit to set the appointment quickly!
Easily verify the status of your report on our website.: No more phone and fax tag. Up-to-the-minute status updates are 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 track the status of your report.