Five Suggestions for Swifter Turn Times

Appraising is an always changing profession. Commonly, it seems, appraisers are asked to supply additional information or have steps added to their data gathering. All of this is to ensure the end user is presented with the most useful information that can be achieved. In order to stay current with the continuously changing requirements, JP TEXAS APPRAISAL is constantly seeking additional tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our customers. At JP TEXAS APPRAISAL we know that time is important to everybody, so we've listed some items you can do to hasten the process on any appraisals ordered from JP TEXAS APPRAISAL:

  1. Are you ordering appraisals online? With online ordering, you get automatic e-mail acknowledgements that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip single-handedly will save the most time! We don't have to re-key information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether we got the request.

  2. Make sure that the subject property information is accurate and complete. 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 are helpful data to include with the assignment. We even welcome lists of recent sales from the area — however, remember 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 an appraisal we're working on for you, you're always free to call us at (972) 850-8981

  3. Are you telling us up front any elements of the property that might make it unique? It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter home. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how characteristics unique to a property contribute to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. When ordering your report, let us know if there are unique elements of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition put on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, and it's predisposed to flooding. These are things we will find out on our own anyway, and knowing them as soon as possible will likely make your report arrive quicker.

  4. Be sure the occupants know the plan. Setting an inspection time and date with the homeowner can be one of the most tedious parts in the appraisal process. We understand that a homeowner may be apprehensive with a stranger inspecting every corner of their home, taking photos, and making numerous notes. One common belief is that they need to make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by, with the idea that will increase the appraised value and will choose to not schedule the appointment until it is cleaned.

    Coming from you -- a trusted party with whom they are already working -- a little info 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 multiple pages of relevant information for homeowners as well as others regarding the appraisal process. Have them call us if they want to meet the staff and learn more about our services. Remind them it benefits them to set the appointment soon!

  5. Our website is a great resource for following 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 to you online. It's never been easier to keep track of your report's status.