Some Tips for Shorter Turn Times

The appraisal profession is continuously evolving. Regularly, it seems, appraisers are asked to offer additional information or have steps added to their research. All of this is to ensure their client is presented with the best information to be had. In order to keep up with the constantly changing requirements, MGK Properties is always testing new tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for in less time. Since MGK Properties knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed a few tips you can do to lessen turn times on any appraisals you order with MGK Properties.

Are you ordering appraisals online?: When you order online, you automatically get e-mail confirmations that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip alone will save the most time! We don't have to manually enter information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether we got the order.
Confirm that the subject property information is accurate and complete.: There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to unnecessarily slow down 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 sales from the area is welcome — though be advised that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may be different from yours.
Are you letting us know up front any characteristics of the property that might make it unique?: Cookie-cutter houses are relatively easy to appraise. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how unique elements contribute to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. At the time you order your report, be sure to 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 predisposed to flooding. While these are things that we'll find out on our own, knowing them as soon as possible makes your report arrive sooner.
Are you making the occupants of the home aware of what to expect?: Setting an inspection time and date with the homeowner can be one of the most inefficient tasks in the appraisal process. We understand that a homeowner may be apprehensive with an outsider inspecting every corner of their home, taking photos, and making numerous notes. Having the thought that it will make the house appraise for more money, a few homeowners think they need to make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by. So they reschedule the appraisal inspection until it is cleaned.

Hearing it directly from you -- someone they've been working with on their loan -- some knowledge about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't change their home's value one little bit, and can decrease the time it takes to inspect a home. I encourage you to point them to our website, where we have many pages of helpful information for homeowners as well as others describing the appraisal process. Tell them to call us if they want to meet the staff and learn more about our services. Remind them it's to their benefit to set the appointment as soon 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 we complete each important milestone in an assignment, that information is instantly available to you online. It's never been easier to track your report's status.