Some Steps to Quicker Turn Times

The appraisal profession is constantly evolving. Commonly, it seems, appraisers are asked to provide additional information or have steps added to their research. All of this is to ensure their client gets the best data to be had. To keep up with the always changing requirements, H.M. Hoffman & Company is always testing new tools and improving processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for faster. At H.M. Hoffman & Company we know that time is important to everybody, so we've listed some tips you can do to reduce turn times on any appraisals you order with H.M. Hoffman & Company.

Always order your appraisals online.: With online ordering, you automatically receive e-mail confirmations that the assignment 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 re-key information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether we got the order.
Complete and accurate subject property data is essential.: 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. Even a list of recent sales in 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.
Let us know up front of the property's unique details.: It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter house. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how unique elements contribute 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 characteristics of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition built on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's prone to flooding. These are things we would find out on our own anyway, and knowing them early on will likely make your report arrive more quickly.
Set proper expectations with the occupants.: Confirming an appointment with the homeowner can be one of the most time consuming tasks in the appraisal process. We understand that a homeowner may be uneasy with an outsider looking in every corner of their home, taking pictures, and making abundant notes. With the idea that it will increase the value, some homeowners feel they have to make the place spotless before the inspection. So they choose to not schedule the inspection until they can get around to cleaning.

Hearing it directly from you -- someone they've been working with on their loan -- some knowledge about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't make it more likely their sale will close, and can shorten the appraisal inspection time. Our website has numerous pages of helpful information about the appraisal process for homeowners. I encourage you to share it with your customers. Have them call us if they want to become familiar with the staff and our services. And tell them it benefits them to set the appointment quickly!
Are you using our website as a resource to follow 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 we complete each important milestone in an assignment, that information is available instantly to you online. It's never been easier to track the status of your report.