5 Suggestions for Faster Turn Times

Appraising is an always changing profession. Regularly, it seems, appraisers are asked to include extra information or have steps added to their data gathering - all to ensure their client receives the most useful information possible. To stay current with the always changing requirements, Shane Gilbert Appraisals is always researching new tools and improving processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. Since Shane Gilbert Appraisals knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed a couple of tips you can do to reduce turn times whenever you order an appraisal with Shane Gilbert Appraisals:

  1. Are you ordering appraisals online? When you order 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 re-key information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether we got the order.

  2. Verify that the subject property data is accurate and complete. Having just one number incorrect 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 pass along with your assignment. Even a list of recent sales in the area is welcome — though be advised that professional appraisers are lawfully required to do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may be different from yours.

    3. You're always welcome to call us at 217-202-2966 if you have any questions about your property or an appraisal we're working on for you.

  3. Let us know up front of the property's unique details. It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter house. What takes time is analyzing how unique elements contribute to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. Let us know up front when ordering your report 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, and it's susceptible to flooding. While these are things that we would find out on our own, knowing them as early as possible is likely to make your report arrive more quickly.

  4. Let the homeowner know what to expect. Confirming an inspection time and date with the homeowner can be one of the most tedious steps in the appraisal process. Some current homeowners are understandably uncomfortable with the notion that a stranger wants to come in their home, look around, and take abundant notes. A common belief is that they have to make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by, with the notion that will increase the value . So they reschedule the appraisal inspection until they have cleaned.

    Hearing from you -- a trusted party with whom they already have a business relationship -- some knowledge about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't affect their home's value one bit, will help move the process along for everyone. Our website has many pages of relevant information about the appraisal process for homeowners. I encourage you to share it with your clients. They can even call us if they want to meet our staff and learn more about our services. And tell them it benefits them to set the appointment promptly!

  5. Our website is a great resource for keeping tabs on your report's status. No more phone and fax tag. Up-to-the-minute status updates are available online, anytime, 24/7. As we complete each important milestone in an assignment, that information is available to you online. It's never been easier to track your report's status.