The Top 5 Ways Appraisers Can Utilize Assistants

In a recent webinar, Jeff Weiner, co-founder and CEO of Realquantum, was joined by Echo Hartig, an experienced administrative and appraisal assistant with a background in the real estate industry. The main focus of the webinar was on how real estate appraisers can effectively utilize assistants for maximum productivity. 

The webinar started by defining what an assistant in the context of appraisal work is. Jeff and Echo explained that an assistant can be anyone who supports the appraiser in various tasks, including research, clerical support, operations, client engagement, and candidates in training to become appraisers. 

Here’s a recap of the following key points that were discussed:

Where to find a qualified appraisal assistant: 

Jeff and Echo discussed the various ways to find qualified appraisal assistants. Jeff says, “As an appraiser and leader in your firm, your network is the best.” Leveraging personal networks, tapping into recent graduates with relevant degrees, using freelance platforms like Fiverr, and exploring options like The Mom Project to find individuals with flexible schedules are all great ways to find qualified candidates. They also discussed how the cost of employing assistants can vary based on the structure of their roles.

Assistant training, including creating a plan for maximum impact: 

Echo emphasized the significance of having clear expectations and standard operating procedures for assistants. Creating a checklist of responsibilities helps newcomers learn their roles more effectively. This planning and training not only lead to increased efficiency but also greater job satisfaction for assistants.

How appraisal management software can speed up your assistant’s workflow:

Jeff highlighted the importance of empowering assistants with tools and resources to make their work more efficient. By doing so, appraisers can maximize their productivity and get more high-value work done.

Echo mentioned how assistants and appraisers can collaborate effectively. The discussion highlighted how real-time collaboration within Realquantum allows for tasks to be completed concurrently. This approach reduces bottlenecks and helps keep the workflow moving smoothly. They also mentioned that collaboration within the platform eliminates document preparation issues.

“In our old process, I would sometimes spend hours trying to go through a Word document, because as you know, Word can be very finicky. You spend hours trying to make sure that your columns lined up, that page breaks were correct, and that it didn’t skip over a page number when you inserted a new section. All of those little things really would add up and it would take considerable time. With Realquantum, now all I do is hit generate and fix my problems in 30 seconds instead of spending an hour trying to go through and make sure that everything’s lined up how it should be and that everything looks good.”

Determining when an assistant is prepared for increased responsibility:

Echo’s journey from a data entry-focused role to expanding into market research and template setup was a key point of discussion. It was explained that as assistants become more comfortable and gain deeper industry knowledge, they can take on additional responsibilities and evolve their roles within the company.

Echo emphasizes the benefits of a standardized process using Realquantum. She highlights how this standardization enables easy role substitution, making it seamless for anyone to step in and perform tasks, even in unfamiliar situations. Whether assisting different appraisers or working with different colleagues, the process remains consistent and accessible.

Harnessing the full potential of your assistant for strategic planning in the upcoming year:

Jeff and Echo outlined the various responsibilities that an appraisal assistant can handle, such as bid award process management, client engagement, assignment setup, research, data verification, image organizing, proofreading, invoicing, and template/content updates.

They also addressed the question of the assistant-to-appraiser ratio for strategic planning in the upcoming year. Echo mentioned that her company has a flexible environment with different schedules for assistants, which allows for ratios ranging from 1:4 to 1:6 depending on workload and individual availability.

This webinar provided valuable insights into how appraisers can make the most of assistants in their daily work, improving productivity and allowing appraisers to focus on high-value tasks. It emphasized the importance of clear training plans, efficient division of labor, and adaptability in evolving roles.

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