What not to do

[Terrel L. Shields]

Had an appraiser friend complaining that all the work available was from mortgage companies that gave her grief. Couldn't get any local work from banks or lawyers. Blamed it on a certain loan officer in one bank who just did not like her.

Yesterday morning, one of my clients called. I am not on the FHA list anymore and he asked me "how long does it take to do an FHA appraisal?" I said no longer than an ordinary one. He said, "I was afraid that was what you were going to say." Seems appraiser above has had this assignment for 30 days. It was HIS OWN (the loan officer's) HOUSE, he and his new bride are buying.

And just last week she wanted me to co-sign a commercial report claiming residential business was "slow." When I said no to her on it (because I know the seller of the property is suit happy), she found someone else and grumbled about it to them which got back to me.

How do you help your business by stiffing a banker who could give you work? I got three assignments from him today, and is a rare week that I do not get at least 1. dumb. Take care of dem bankers and lawyers on THEIR property or why would you expect to get anything else from 'em.

 

[Judy Whitehead (Florida)]

You know, how you treat people is your most important marketing tool. I find that many appraisers (certainly not all however) do nothing but gripe about their clients. Their main concern is that they feel as if they are being treated like second class citizens.

I try to treat all of my clients like first class citizens and I think they view me as a professional because of it. If we can't turn around a report in about 5 business days, then I will try to hire someone else. I will also let the client know what to expect on turn around time and keep it, even if it means working extra hours. Perhaps that is why my business has doubled every year for five years. I find that people are cooperative as long as they know what to expect.

 

[TEL2002]

Terrel,

Some VG points. Also, reading between the lines is the message that one should keep their opinion of clients to themselves. You start talking about your clients and it will eventually get back to them what you say.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

Also, reading between the lines is the message that one should keep their opinion of clients to themselves.

Too right...if there is a flaw i see too often among appraisers it is the desire to put down their clients and other appraisers. I know I get a back stabbing every once in a while and it always (i bet) gets back to me. I know one appraiser who delights in badmouthing every appraiser she can think of..Why? You might need them some day. Every time I talk to her it is soNso did this or that, or so in so is being investigated or run off the hired help because this or that...Lender X has dropped them..big deal...I don't care. My three biggest clients today were my 3 biggest clients in 1998.

If an appraiser does not do things the way I do, I don't have to work with them. I don't force them to work with me.

Mentioning the LO above that the other appraiser thinks does not like her, she is right. That LO was lied to and lied to . She would ask for a 10 day turn around and get 20. Promised tomorrow, she often did not get it for another week. The reason she (the appraiser she) does not like the LO is because that LO pointed told her to stop lying to her...If it was going to be a month just say so, but quit lying....and I know for a fact this appraiser just cannot stop herself. If a lender calls and says where is my report, she will promise them the report the next day then set the caller ID to avoid them until she gets it ready 3 - 4 maybe 10 days later. Will tell them they have been by, when she hasn't been, etc. I really am surprised someone has not complained to the state over her procrastination.

I fax a letter of engagement back for each assignment with my estimate of time...if I see I am running late I call EARLY to warn them and explain why and WHEN they can expect it....I don't recall any problems from an LO (now borrowers are a different matter.)

 

[Mountain Man]

I fax a letter of engagement back for each assignment with my estimate of time...if I see I am running late I call EARLY to warn them and explain why and WHEN they can expect it....I don't recall any problems from an LO (now borrowers are a different matter.)

I do the same, except by e-mail. It doesn't matter if you are booked 2 weeks out, as long as they know that!!! I let them know ASAP so they can reschedule the closing if need be!! Like I said before, the only thing we sell is service and data. Data is not that hard to come by, service is.