The Harvard Business Review published a piece on the success of face-to-face communication versus the success of an email or text. The results of a 2017 study found we are thirty-four times more successful with face-to-face communication when compared to e-mail.

​Today, third-party reviewers from hundreds of miles away and unfamiliar with the nuances of local markets request changes from appraisers via e-mail. Minor revisions may be handled quickly, but larger revisions can cause delays. Reviewers often receive e-mail replies saying the type and quality of data available in other markets is not available specific to the subject area, or that they disagree with the reviewer’s differing methodology or revisions. Regardless of the responses, they often waste time and cause delays to closings.

In a role that traditionally relies more on text/writing communication as opposed to face-to-face interaction, Guidance Appraisal Review is redefining communication between reviewers and appraisers. While we can’t sit across the desk from every appraiser, we can communicate using video responses and video/phone chat. By introducing the reviewer to the appraiser over video chat, peers are disarmed as they have the ability to have their voices and opinions heard. Differing appraisal techniques can be discussed as well as the motivation behind certain actions in the report which stemmed from the development or reporting process. The method of reviewers checking boxes and demanding changes by e-mail is being replaced with thoughtful and relationship-based communication between peers, resulting in faster and better quality revisions.