Timely appraisal issues - I can't be the only one

[Erin N.]

In the past 3 years or so I've gotten 3 conventional loans, applied for another 2 conventional loans, and helped my parents navigate the process on their loan.  I keep having the same issue come up every time.  The bank has me pay for an appraisal and they tell me it's been ordered.  They usually say it will be back in a week.  I put a calendar reminder to ask about it in a week.  They say it's not back yet.  I give them another 3 days.  Still not back yet.  I dig deeper.  Oh guess what?  They forgot to order it.  IT HAPPENED EVERY SINGLE TIME on 6 loans.  Different banks, different appraisers.  What gives?  And what can I do to verify that the appraisal has in fact been ordered.  The banks get testy when I dig and ask them for documentation that shows the appraisal has been ordered.  It drives me crazy because it adds 15-20 days to the loan process.  This should be completely avoidable.