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Appraisal Process
For Lenders & Agents
In real estate, time is always money. The good news: a faster appraisal turnaround isn’t just up to us — here’s exactly what you can do to help move things along.
By HM Hoffman & Co. Appraisers | Main Line & Greater Philadelphia, PA | 4 min read
The appraisal profession never stands still. Requirements grow, documentation standards evolve, and the amount of research and analysis packed into each report continues to expand. At HM Hoffman & Co., we’re constantly testing new tools and refining our processes to handle more work without sacrificing quality or speed.
But there’s only so much we can control on our end. Some of the most significant time savings in the appraisal process come from the other side of the order — from lenders, agents, and homeowners who know what we need and provide it upfront. Here are five things that make a real difference.
1. Order online — every time
Online ordering is the single biggest time saver in the entire process — for both of us. When you order through our website, you get an instant confirmation that the assignment was received, and your completed report is delivered securely in PDF format the moment it’s ready. No fax re-keying, no wondering if the order went through, no back-and-forth. If you’re still ordering by phone or fax, switching to online ordering alone will noticeably shorten your wait time.
2. Send complete, accurate property data upfront
A single transposed digit in a street address can add unnecessary time to an assignment while we track down the correct property. If you have a tax parcel number, plat map number, subdivision name, or any other identifier that pinpoints the property, include it. If you have a list of recent area sales, send that too — we’re required to conduct our own due diligence on comparables, and ours may differ from yours, but your data gives us a useful starting point. The more you give us at the order stage, the less we need to chase down later.
3. Flag anything unique about the property at the time of order
Cookie-cutter properties are straightforward. It’s the unique ones — recent additions, zoning restrictions, flood zone designations, irregular lot configurations, historic designations — where appraisers spend the most time. We’ll find all of this eventually regardless, but knowing about it upfront means we can plan our research from day one rather than discovering complications mid-assignment. If there’s anything distinctive about the property or its surroundings, tell us when you order.
4. Set the right expectations with the homeowner before we call
Scheduling the inspection is often the most time-consuming step in the entire process — and it’s almost entirely in the homeowner’s hands. Many homeowners feel anxious about an appraiser visiting, and some delay scheduling until they’ve had time to deep-clean every room. Here’s what we’d love them to know: a spotless house does not appraise higher than a tidy one. Dusting and polishing will not affect the outcome, and delaying the appointment only delays their closing.
When you — someone they already trust from the loan process — explain what the appraisal involves and who we are, homeowners schedule faster. You’re welcome to point them to our website, which has plenty of plain-language information about what to expect. Or have them call us directly. The sooner the appointment is set, the sooner everyone moves forward.
5. Track your report status online — skip the phone tag
Our website offers real-time status updates on every active assignment, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Every time we complete a significant milestone — inspection scheduled, inspection completed, report in review, report delivered — that update is reflected online immediately. There’s no need to call or email to ask where things stand. Check the portal, get the answer, and get back to your day.
The bottom line
HM Hoffman & Co. is committed to delivering thorough, accurate appraisal reports as quickly as possible. The tips above aren’t about cutting corners — they’re about eliminating the friction that adds days to a process that doesn’t need it. When you and your clients come prepared, we can focus entirely on the work.
Ready to order? We make it easy.
HM Hoffman & Co. serves lenders, agents, and homeowners throughout the Main Line, Montgomery County, Delaware County, Bucks County, and greater Philadelphia. Order online for the fastest turnaround — or contact us with any questions about an active assignment.