5 Hints for Quicker Turn Times

The appraisal profession is evolving constantly. Often, it seems, appraisers are asked to provide more information or have steps added to their process. All to guarantee their client receives the best data to be had. In order to stay current with the continuously changing requirements, Kalen Mills is continuously testing additional tools and improving processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. At Kalen Mills we know that time is important to everybody, so we've listed a handful of tips you can do to speed up the process whenever you order an appraisal from Kalen Mills .

Order your appraisals online.: With online ordering, you automatically receive e-mail acknowledgements that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. It's the single biggest time saver available to both of us! No longer do we have to manually enter information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether the order was received.
Verify that the subject property information is accurate and complete.: Having just one number incorrect 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. We even welcome lists of recent sales in the area — though be advised that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.
Be sure to let us know about the property's unique elements.: Cookie-cutter houses are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how unique elements add to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. Let us know up front when you order 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, it's predisposed to flooding. While these are things that we will find out on our own, knowing them as early as possible makes your report arrive sooner.
Be sure the occupants know the the plan.: Confirming an inspection time and date with the homeowner can be one of the most time consuming parts in the appraisal process. Some current homeowners are understandably uncomfortable with the thought an unknown persons wants to come in their house, look around, and take copious notes. Under the belief that it will increase the value, some homeowners believe they must make the place spotless before the appraisal inspection. So they reschedule the appraisal inspection until the house is cleaned.

Coming from you -- the person they have been working with on their loan -- a short explanation 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. Our website has numerous pages of useful information about the appraisal process for homeowners. Please feel free to share it with your customers. Encourage them to call us if they want to become familiar with the staff and our services. Remind them it's to their benefit to set the appointment as quickly as possible!
Use our website to keep track of your report's status.: No more phone and fax tag. Up-to-the-minute status updates are available online, anytime, 24/7. As each important milestone in an assignment is completed, that information can be viewed instantly online. It's never been faster and easier to track your report's status.