A Few Hints for Shorter Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. Commonly, it seems, appraisers are asked to supply extra information or have steps added to their process. All to ensure the end user has the best data available. In order to keep up with the continuously changing requirements, is continuously seeking new tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for quickly. Since knows that time is important to everyone, below are some tips you can do to lessen turn times on any appraisals you order from .

Are you ordering appraisals online?: With online ordering, you get automatic e-mail acknowledgements that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. Online ordering is the single biggest time saver available to both of us! No longer do we have to re-key information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether the order was received.
Complete and accurate subject property information is essential.: Having just one number incorrect on the street address can really unnecessarily delay an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name is good information to include with your assignment. Even a list of recent sales from the area is welcome — remember, however, that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.
Are you letting us know up front any features of the property that might make it distinct?: Cookie-cutter houses are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how unique elements contribute to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. When ordering your report, let us know if there are unique characteristics of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition constructed, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's predisposed to flooding. While these are things that we'll find out on our own, knowing them early on is likely to make your report arrive without delay.
Be sure the homeowner knows the the plan.: One of the most time consuming parts of the appraisal process is setting an appointment with the current homeowner. We understand that a homeowner may be apprehensive with a stranger looking in every square foot of their home, taking pictures, and making lots of notes. Having the thought that it will increase the appraised value, a few homeowners feel they need to make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by. So they reschedule the inspection until the house is cleaned.

Hearing it directly from you -- a person they have been working with on their loan -- a little information about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't make it more likely their sale will close, and likely go a long way toward trimming the time it takes to inspect a home. Please feel free to point them to this website, where we have lots of pages of relevant information for homeowners as well as others about the appraisal process. Have them call us if they want to meet the staff and learn more about our services. Remind them it benefits them to set the appointment quickly!
Our website is a great resource for following the status of your report.: Phone and fax tag are a thing of the past with up-to-the-minute status updates available online, anytime, 24/7. As we complete each important milestone in an assignment, that information can be viewed instantly online. It's never been easier to track your report's status.