Some Tips for Quicker Turn Times

The appraisal profession is evolving continuously. Commonly, it seems, appraisers are asked to present more information or have steps added to their process. All of this is to guarantee the end user is presented with the best information available. In order to keep up with the continuously changing requirements, MJP Appraisal Group is always researching additional tools and improving processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our clients. At MJP Appraisal Group we know that time is important to everybody, so we've listed a handful of items you can do to lessen turn times on any appraisals you order from MJP Appraisal Group.

Are you ordering appraisals online?: By ordering online, 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 manually enter information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether we got the request.
Complete and accurate subject property information is key.: There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to add unnecessary time to an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name is good information to pass long with your assignment. 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.
Be sure to let us know about the unique details of this property.: Cookie-cutter houses are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how differing 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 elements of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition constructed, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's predisposed to flooding. While these are things that we'd find out on our own, knowing them early on will likely make your report arrive sooner.
Does the homeowner know what to expect?: Setting an appointment with the homeowner can be one of the most time consuming parts in the appraisal process. It's understandable for a homeowner to be apprehensive with a stranger looking in every corner of their home, taking photos, and making numerous notes. With the idea that it will increase the value, a few homeowners feel they must make the place spotless before the inspection. So they put off the appraisal inspection until they have cleaned.

Coming from you -- the person they are working with on their loan -- some info about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't increase their home's value one little bit, and can decrease the appraisal inspection time. Please feel free to point your clients to our website, where we have several pages of useful information for homeowners as well as others regarding the appraisal process. Advise them to 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!
Our website is a great resource for tracking 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 can be viewed instantly online. It's never been faster to keep track of the status of your report.