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 listen to The Appraiser Coach Podcast Episode:
What To Fill Out On Site With Mobile Appraising
