Less Isn’t Always More

Close-up female hands using smartphone on city searching or social networks concept.

I’ve been asked how much should be filled out on site during a mobile appraisal. I know there’s a lot of ways out there to do this; there are almost as many methods out there as there are appraisers. My way certainly isn’t the only way to do things, but it’s the way that I’ve found works for me. And my answer, in short, is this: fill out everything that you can.

When I walk through a property, I try to fill out as much as I can on site. The first thing this does is it helps me to make sure that my information is more accurate. I don’t have to end up guessing and trying to remember what I saw during my walk once I get back to my office. The information is already there. I also end up saving my office members time, since the photos and the final sketch are already in the form and don’t have to be attached or labeled. By the time I’m done, I like to have completed page 1, my photos, and my sketch.

Does this mean that I spend more time at the property? Certainly, it does. But I don’t mind if my information is better, and I know that most clients will also not mind if you spend a little more time walking and inspecting the property. This also helps to eliminate the “second inspection” that happens when you return to the office and start turning your notes, photos, and sketch into an actual form. When doing a mobile inspection, fill out everything you can – you’ll be glad you did.

For more information on this subject, please download and listen to The Appraiser Coach Podcast Episode:

4 thoughts on “Less Isn’t Always More”

  1. Pingback: Less Isn’t Always More - Appraisal Buzz

  2. What the “experts” don’t want to talk about because they have a stake in the profession no matter how much the individual appraiser suffers, is that, like the law enforcement profession, the appraisal profession is being defunded. The continued removal of the appraiser from the process through various means, as the attempt to remove the police officer from the law enforcement process, will yield similar results. Just as adhering to law and order continues to decline due to the policies of those sympathetic to the criminal and hostile to police, accurate and non biased appraisals will continue to decline due to the policies of those sympathetic to the greedy and corrupt in the real estate industry, with similar results.

  3. Pierce Blitch III, IFAS, ASA

    Thanks Justin for voicing the need for appraisers to go to mobile inspections for page 1, photos, and the sketch. Time saver in the long run.

    I have no idea why Paul responded the way that he did because his response has ZERO to do with what you discussed in your Blog………

  4. I agree, take more time on site saves time in the office. Also, the homeowners see you taking more time and they notice as well. I will get calls from homeowners saying that our appraiser spent twice as long at the house as another appraiser and was very detailed, so they trust the appraisal more because of that. I believe this saves us answering questions later.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Posts

Scroll to Top

Existing Members

If you have been a member prior to Jan. 1st 2024

Or, click on the right side to sign up as a new member (with a free month and added bonus material) and your existing membership will be automatically moved over and any extra payments credited. 

Or, click on the link below to sign up as a new member (with a free month and added bonus material) and your existing membership will be automatically moved over and any extra payments credited. 

New Members

If you became a member after Jan. 1st 2024 or are an existing member and want to move to our new system. 

Try the All-Star Team No-Risk for 30 Days Free!