Admin

Appraisals - Missed Appointments

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage 643418

I arrive at my 9am appraisal appointment 15-minutes early. I take a full set of exterior and neighborhood photos. I measure the perimeter of the house and get it ready for the floor plan.

I knock on the door promptly at 9am... no answer.

I knock again...

and again...

and again...

No answer.

Let me try calling the house phone, maybe they cant hear the door... no answer.

Hmmm... let me try the side door... no answer.

No problem, I'm on time, maybe they are running late, I'll wait.

So I return to my car and wait patiently... 9:20, nothing. Ok, I'll try the door again; I mean, there are 4-cars parked outside, surely somebody MUST be inside.

Still nothing.

9:30... I pull off.

10:00 - I'm back at the office. I call again, husband answers the phone. He is irrate that nobody called him on his cell phone to let him know I was on my way.

Humbly I apologize and alert him that the appoinment was made with his wife for a firm 9am and sadly, I did not have his cell phone number.

He grumbles and reschedules for tomorrow morning, no set time, just call him when I'm on my way and he will try to meet me.

I alert him that there will be a trip fee charged for the missed appointment... not to my surprise, the cursing begins....

So I stand by and eagerly await my appointment tomorrow... time to be determined by Mr. Happy Borrower ...

Surely everybody will blame the appraiser for the loan not closing on time...

Jesse Skolkin
Independent New York State Certified Real Estate Appraiser - Fresh Meadows, NY

I know this may be a delicate situation requiring some flexibility, but I don't like the idea of an appointment without a fixed time. I would call before even leaving.

Jun 25, 2011 01:21 AM
Craig Chapman
Call Realty / Access Appraisals - Mesa, AZ
The Value Guy

Lucky this doesn't happen very often.  I have even after waiting & measuring front of house, left note on door, went & drove comps & came back 15 - 20 min later.  I think it's important to leave note or your card on door that you were there & call the lender from the site & let them know right then.  If you don't cover yourself, you may not get the extra trip fee.

Jun 25, 2011 08:34 AM
Richard Glesser
North Country Appraisal Services - Gaylord, MI

I've come to work like the utility companies, with a time period span during which I'll be at the property.  It allows flexibility for more than one inspection per day and for other conditions such as weather when covering a wide rural area.  If they can accommodate the cable guy coming between 8 and noon, they can provide me with some leeway.  Cell phones ease the flexibility by calling when leaving the previous inspection allowing them to work and leave in time to meet at the property.  Another reason for the "window of time" is that it is not uncommon to have downstate owners meeting at vacation properties for the inspection.  Recognizing that, I do, when necessary, schedule weekend and evening appointments although not preferred.  I also reserve the right to cancel for inclimate weather such as rather common snowstorms.  Many years ago, driving through a driving snowstorm when no one else was on the road, I came to the realization that this is an appraisal; I'm not running plasma to the front line and should not be risking my life so someone can lower their interest rate.

Jun 26, 2011 01:24 PM
Alisa Delice
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Rockville, MD
Professional Realtor in Maryland & Washington, DC

Ah Jesse... so wise. Client was non-responsive, still waiting to get inside (or not...).

Craig - i always leave a card, but smart to call the client from the property..

And Richard... WHAT??!!! You dont run plasma to the front line?/? I feel like I risk my life everytime I go into a vacant REO in DC...

Jun 27, 2011 03:52 AM
Jack Hughes
Hughes Appraisal Group Inc. HUD/FHA Approved) - Lehigh Acres, FL
LGBTQ PROUD !!!

I've had that happen with Real Estate Agents not showing up to let me in, Appraisers in the minds of most people are on the bottom of the food chain and give up very little credit or consideration. Good Post

Jul 10, 2011 12:16 AM
Jesse Skolkin
Independent New York State Certified Real Estate Appraiser - Fresh Meadows, NY

It's been about 3 1/2 weeks since your blog.  I'm curious - did you get in yet?  If so, any issues?

Jul 11, 2011 11:09 PM
Alisa Delice
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Rockville, MD
Professional Realtor in Maryland & Washington, DC

Thanks Jack!

Jesse - Yes! Finally got in... no major issues.

Jul 12, 2011 06:29 AM