A Few Tips for Quicker Turn Times

The appraisal profession is evolving continuously. Often, it seems, appraisers are asked to present additional information or have steps added to their appraisal process. They do this extra work to ensure the end user has the best data available. To keep up with the constantly changing requirements, JOSEPH P BALDINO is constantly acquiring new tools and tweaking processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for in less time. At JOSEPH P BALDINO we know that time is important to everybody, so below are some tips you can do to hasten the process on any appraisals you order from JOSEPH P BALDINO.

Order your appraisals online.: By ordering online, you get automatic e-mail confirmations that the order was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. Ordering online 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 we received the order.
Make sure that the subject property data is accurate and complete.: Being just one number off 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 helpful information to include with your assignment. We even welcome lists of recent sales in the area — remember, however, that professional appraisers are lawfully required to do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours might differ from yours.
Let us know up front of the property's unique characteristics.: Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how details 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 features of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition constructed, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's susceptible to flooding. These are things we'd find out on our own anyway, and knowing them early on makes your report arrive faster.
Let the homeowner know what to expect.: One of the most inefficient steps of the appraisal process is confirming an appointment with the homeowner. Some current homeowners are understandably uncomfortable with the thought a stranger wants to come in their house, look around, and make numerous notes. Many commonly think they need to make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by, believing that will increase the value. So they delay the inspection until the house is cleaned.

Coming directly from you -- a person they are working with on their loan -- some information about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't make it more likely their sale will close, and likely shorten the time it takes to inspect a home. I encourage you to point your clients to this website, where we have multiple pages of relevant information for homeowners and others describing the appraisal process. Encourage them to call us if they want to meet our staff and learn more about our services. Remind them it's to their advantage to set the appointment promptly!
Use our website to keep tabs on your report's status.: 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 can be viewed instantly online. It's never been easier to track the status of your report.