Some Hints for Quicker Turn Times

The appraisal profession is evolving at all times. Regularly, it seems, appraisers are asked to supply extra information or have steps added to their appraisal process. All to ensure their client is presented with the best data possible. To keep up with the constantly changing requirements, MGK Properties is always acquiring new tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. At MGK Properties we know that time is important to everybody, so here are a couple of items you can do to accelerate the process on any appraisals ordered from MGK Properties.

Always order your appraisals online.: With online ordering, you automatically receive e-mail acknowledgements that the request was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This is the single biggest time saver available to both of us! We don't have to manually enter information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether we received the order.
Are you providing complete and accurate information about the subject property?: There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to 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. Even a list of recent area sales is welcome — remember, however, that professional appraisers are lawfully required to do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.
Are you telling us up front any details of the property that might make it unique?: Cookie-cutter houses are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how elements unique to a property add to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. When ordering your report, let us know if there are unique details 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 will find out on our own, knowing them as soon as possible makes your report arrive faster.
Are you making the occupants of the home aware of what to expect?: One of the most inefficient tasks of the appraisal process is setting an inspection date with the current homeowner. Many current homeowners are understandably apprehensive with the thought a stranger wants to come in their home, look around, and take lots of notes. With the idea that it will make the house appraise for more money, many homeowners think they should make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by. So they put off the appointment until they have cleaned.

Coming directly from you -- someone they've been working with on their loan -- some information about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't make it more likely their sale will close, and can decrease the time it takes to inspect a home. I encourage you to point your clients to this website, where we have lots of pages of helpful information for homeowners and others describing the appraisal process. Advise them to call us if they want to familiarize themselves with our staff and services. Remind them it benefits them to set the appointment soon!
Easily follow the status of your report on our website.: 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 each important milestone in an assignment is completed, that information can be viewed instantly online. It's never been easier to track the status of your report.