Five Suggestions for Shorter Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. On a regular basis, it seems, appraisers are asked to provide extra information or have steps added to their process. All of this is to ensure their client receives the most useful information possible. To keep up with the always changing requirements, Sheaffer Appraisal Service is constantly researching new tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for in less time. Since Sheaffer Appraisal Service knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed some items you can do to hasten the process on any appraisals ordered with Sheaffer Appraisal Service:


  1. Are you ordering appraisals online? With online ordering, you automatically get e-mail confirmations that the request was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip single-handedly will save the most time! No longer do we have to re-key information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether the order was received.

  2. 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. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name is helpful information 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 be different from yours.

    3. You're always free to call us at (717) 633-6363 if you have any questions about your property or a job we're working on for you.

  3. Are you letting us know up front any characteristics of the property that might make it unique? Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how unique elements contribute 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 characteristics of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition constructed, it's subject to zoning restrictions, and it's predisposed to flooding. While these are things that we'll find out on our own, knowing them sooner makes your report arrive quicker.

  4. Set proper expectations with the occupants. Setting an inspection time and date with the homeowner can be one of the most inefficient steps in the appraisal process. Some homeowners are justifiably apprehensive with the notion that an unknown persons wants to come in their house, look around, and make numerous notes. Having the thought that it will increase the value, a few homeowners feel they must make the place spotless before the appraisal inspection and will reschedule the inspection until they can get around to cleaning.

    Hearing it directly from you -- a trusted party with whom they are already working -- some knowledge about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't increase their home's value one bit, will help move the process along for everyone. Please feel free to point your customers to our website, where we have multiple pages of helpful information for homeowners as well as others regarding the appraisal process. Encourage them to call us if they want to meet the staff and learn more about our services. And tell them it benefits them to set the appointment quickly!

  5. Use our website to verify 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 is instantly available to you online. It's never been easier to keep track of the status of your report.