5 Tips for Shorter Turn Times

Appraising is an always changing profession. On a regular basis, it seems, appraisers are asked to present extra information or have steps added to their research. They do this extra work to ensure their client gets the best data to be had. To keep up with the always changing requirements, is constantly acquiring additional tools and improving processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for faster. At we know that time is important to everybody, so we've listed a few items you can do to decrease turn times on any appraisals ordered from .

Always order your appraisals on the Internet.: By ordering online, you get automatic e-mail acknowledgements that the order was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This is the single biggest time saver available to both of us! We don't have to manually enter information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether we received the request.
Are you providing complete and accurate data about the subject property?: Having just one number incorrect on the street address can really add unnecessary time to an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name are helpful data to pass long with your request. Even a list of recent sales from the area is welcome — remember, however, that professional appraisers are lawfully required to do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours might differ from yours.
Tell us up front of the property's distinct features.: It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter home. What takes time is analyzing how elements unique to a property add to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. Let us know up front when ordering your report if there are unique details of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition built on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's prone to flooding. While these are things that we will find out on our own, knowing them as early as possible will likely make your report arrive quicker.
Let the homeowner know what to expect.: Setting an inspection time and date with the homeowner can be one of the most inefficient steps in the appraisal process. It's understandable for a homeowner to be apprehensive with an outsider looking in every square foot of their home, taking photos, and making lots of notes. Thinking that it will increase the value, many homeowners believe they have to make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by. And will reschedule the appointment until they can get around to cleaning.

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 decrease the appraisal inspection time. I encourage you to point your clients to this website, where we have several pages of helpful information for homeowners and others about the appraisal process. Tell them to call us if they want to meet our staff and learn more about our services. Remind them it's in their interest to set the appointment promptly!
Easily track the status of your report on our website.: Phone and fax tag are a thing of the past with up-to-the-minute status updates available online, anytime, 24/7. As each important milestone in an assignment is completed, that information is instantly available to you online. There's no easier way to keep track of your report's status.