5 Suggestions for Faster Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. Often, it seems, appraisers are asked to provide extra information or have steps added to their data gathering. All to ensure the end user is presented with the best data available. In order to keep up with the continuously changing requirements, GDB Appraisal Services, Inc is continuously seeking additional tools and tweaking processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for more efficiently. At GDB Appraisal Services, Inc we know that time is important to everybody, so we've listed a few items you can do to speed up the process on any appraisals ordered from GDB Appraisal Services, Inc.

Order your appraisals on the Internet.: When you order online, you automatically receive e-mail acknowledgements that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip single-handedly will save the most time! No longer do we have to retype information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether we got the request.
Are you providing complete and accurate information about the subject property?: Having just one number incorrect on the street address can really unnecessarily delay an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name are great data to include with your assignment. Even a list of recent area sales 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.
Tell us up front of the property's distinct features.: It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter home. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how unique features 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 constructed, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's susceptible to flooding. While these are things that we'll find out on our own, knowing them sooner will likely make your report arrive without delay.
Let the occupants know what to expect.: Setting an appointment with the homeowner can be one of the most time consuming parts in the appraisal process. Some homeowners are clearly uneasy with the notion an outsider wants to come in their home, look around, and take copious notes. Having the thought that it will increase the value, a few homeowners think they ought to make the place spotless before the appraisal inspection. So they put off the inspection until it is cleaned.

Coming directly from you -- the person they've been working with on their loan -- a little information about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't affect their home's value one little bit, and likely go a long way toward trimming the time it takes to inspect a home. I encourage you to point your customers to this website, where we have multiple pages of useful information for homeowners and others describing the appraisal process. Encourage them to call us if they want to familiarize themselves with the staff and our services. And tell them it benefits them to set the appointment quickly!
Use our website to keep track of your report's status.: 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 easier to track your report's status.