Some Steps to Shorter Turn Times

The appraisal profession is always evolving. On a regular basis, it seems, appraisers are asked to supply more information or have steps added to their research - all to guarantee their client receives the most useful information possible. In order to stay current with the constantly changing requirements, Harmon Appraisal & Consulting, LLC is continuously researching new tools and improving processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. At Harmon Appraisal & Consulting, LLC we know that time is important to everybody, so we've listed some tips you can do to speed up the process when you order an appraisal from Harmon Appraisal & Consulting, LLC:

  1. Always order your appraisals online. With online ordering, you automatically get e-mail notifications that the request was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip alone 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 the order was received.

  2. Are you providing complete and accurate information about the subject property? Being just one number off on the street address can really add unnecessary time to 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 in 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.

    3. If you have any questions about your property or a job we're working on for you, don't hesitate to call us at 479-963-1600

  3. Tell us up front of the property's distinct elements. Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how elements unique to a property contribute to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. When you order your report, let us know if there are unique features of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition put on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, and it's prone to flooding. While these are things that we will find out on our own, knowing them as soon as possible makes your report arrive more quickly.

  4. Set proper expectations with the occupants. One of the most inefficient parts of the appraisal process is confirming an inspection date with the occupants of the home. Many homeowners are understandably uncomfortable with the idea that an outsider wants to come in their home, look around, and take numerous notes. A common belief is that they must make the place spotless before the inspection, with the idea that will increase the appraised value and will reschedule the appointment until they have cleaned.

    Coming from you -- a trusted party with whom they are already working -- a little bit about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't make a significant difference in their home's value, will help move the process along for everyone. I encourage you to point your customers to our website, where we have many pages of useful information for homeowners as well as others regarding the appraisal process. Have them call us if they want to familiarize themselves with our staff and services. Remind them it benefits them to set the appointment without delay!

  5. Use our website to track your report's status. No more phone and fax tag. Up-to-the-minute status updates are available online, anytime, 24/7. As each important milestone in an assignment is completed, that information can be viewed instantly online. There's no easier way to keep track of the status of your report.