Best Practices for Working from Home During COVID-19

COVID-19 continues to spread throughout the United States. As it does, it is becoming more apparent with each day, that self-isolation and social distancing are crucial steps we must all take to flatten the curve.

Although they are necessary, these measures mean the temporary shutdown of some business operations across the country. For many appraisers who work from commercial offices, this is a big change. Like thousands of Americans in other industries, you are probably now required to work from home, which can be a considerable adjustment.

With this in mind, our team at Valcre would like to share our tips for working from home. This list will help you prepare your at-home work setup — but most importantly, it contains advice on how to work without losing efficiency or sacrificing your own personal wellness.

Review Your Work-From-Home Policy

Before you get started, look over your company policies on working remotely. Make sure that these policies are accurate compared to what you discussed with your leadership. If you run your own appraisal business you may not have a work-from-home (WFH) policy, in that case you can use the following tips to create one. A good WFH policy should establish an optimal remote operation while setting clear professional boundaries and expectations between you and your associates.

Get the Right Tools

Without the right tools, home-based appraisal work can take nearly a lifetime — especially if you don’t have access to your usual in-office setup and software. Thankfully, there are a number of easily accessible platforms that can keep your operation fast and fluid at a reasonable cost. Appraisal report writing platforms with an integrated cloud database like Valcre offer appraisers all the tools they need to stay organized while completing projects quickly and efficiently, whether they’re at home or at the office.

Connect With Colleagues

Just as with working in an office, open communication is key to good business operations. Of course, you can always email, text, or call your colleagues to discuss smaller details. But in order to build a stronger team or client connection, video conferencing should be your method of choice. Keep things purpose-oriented and create an agenda to stick to. There are several ways we can stay connected to our colleagues and clients. Try a few out and take your pick!

Establish Your Work Schedule

One of the most common grievances people have about working from home is that there are no clear boundaries between work and personal life. The rules are clearer when you have an office to go to but when you work from home, you may feel the urge to answer that extra email or work until midnight. But failing to establish clear boundaries for yourself can lead to burnout and even resentment. Just as you would at the office, set strict hours of operation and scheduled breaks. If you aren’t able to complete everything you set out to in a full eight-hour workday, there’s no shame in leaving it for tomorrow. Discuss these boundaries with your team, and email your clients about your hours of availability.

Focus on Your Personal Wellness

As you should at any workplace, get up from your seat once every hour to take your eyes off of your screen, walk around, and get some fresh air — just remember to stay six feet apart from your neighbors. If you have a few extra hours to spend thanks to an eliminated commute, consider using them to read, exercise, or enjoy a personal hobby.

Check-In on Others

Lastly, don’t forget to stay social! Staying cooped up in the house all day can get a little lonely, and your friends and colleagues are likely going through the same thing. Help each other out by connecting at least once a day. Celebrate your successes, share your struggles, and offer words of encouragement. The only way we can all get through this is together.

If you need help setting up your own work from home appraisal operation, don’t hesitate to contact our team at Valcre. Try Valcre’s easy-to-use appraisal report writing platform by scheduling a one-on-one demo with one of our experts today.

Schedule a demo to learn more!