Some Tips for Quicker Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. On a regular basis, it seems, appraisers are asked to offer additional information or have steps added to their research. They do this extra work to guarantee their client receives the best data possible. In order to keep up with the always changing requirements, Holbrook and Associates is always testing additional tools and improving processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our customers. Since Holbrook and Associates knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed some things you can do to decrease turn times on any appraisals ordered from Holbrook and Associates.

Always order your appraisals online.: By ordering online, you automatically receive e-mail acknowledgements that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This is the single biggest time saver available to both of us! No longer do we have to retype 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 is great information to pass long with the assignment. We even welcome lists of recent sales from the area — 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 let us know about the unique elements of this property.: Cookie-cutter houses are relatively easy to appraise. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how elements unique to a property contribute to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. When ordering your report, let us know if there are unique characteristics of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition built on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's susceptible to flooding. While these are things that we'll find out on our own, knowing them as early as possible will likely make your report arrive without delay.
Does the homeowner know what to expect?: Confirming an appointment with the homeowner can be one of the most inefficient parts in the appraisal process. It's understandable for a homeowner to be uneasy with a stranger inspecting every square foot of their home, taking pictures, and making copious notes. One common belief is that they should make the place spotless before the inspection, under the impression that will increase the appraised value. And will reschedule the inspection until the house is cleaned.

Hearing from you -- a person they are working with on their loan -- a little information about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't change their home's value one little bit, and likely shorten the appraisal inspection time. Please feel free to point them to our website, where we have lots of pages of helpful information for homeowners and others about the appraisal process. They can even call us if they want to meet our staff and learn more about our services. Remind them it benefits them to set the appointment as soon as possible!
Our website is a great resource for keeping tabs on the status of your report.: 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 each important milestone in an assignment is completed, that information is available to you online. It's never been easier to track your report's status.