A Few Hints for Shorter Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. Every year, it seems, appraisers are asked to provide more information or have steps added to their research. All to ensure their client receives the best data to be had. In order to stay current with the constantly changing requirements, is continuously researching additional tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. At we know that time is important to everybody, so below are some tips you can do to hasten the process whenever you order an appraisal from .

Order your appraisals electronically.: When you order online, you get automatic e-mail notifications that the order was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip single-handedly will save the most time! We don't have to re-key information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether the order was received.
Confirm that the subject property information is accurate and complete.: Being just one number off on the street address can really unnecessarily interrupt an appraisal assignment. And if you have a tax parcel number, plat map number, subdivision name or anything else that uniquely identifies the property, please pass it along. Even a list of recent sales from the area is welcome — though be advised that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.
Are you telling us up front any characteristics of the property that might make it distinct?: Cookie-cutter houses are relatively easy to appraise. 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. At the time you order your report, be sure to let us know if there are unique features of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition built on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's predisposed to flooding. These are things we'd find out on our own anyway, and knowing them early on makes your report arrive without delay.
Set proper expectations with the homeowner.: One of the most inefficient parts of the appraisal process is confirming an appointment with the occupants of the home. We understand that a homeowner may be apprehensive with a stranger looking in every corner of their home, taking photos, and making copious notes. One common belief is that they ought to make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by, with the idea that will increase the value. So they reschedule the appointment until they can get around to cleaning.

Coming from you -- someone they are working with on their loan -- a little info 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 shorten the time it takes to inspect a home. I encourage you to point your clients to our website, where we have multiple pages of helpful information for homeowners and others describing the appraisal process. Have them call us if they want to become familiar with the staff and our services. And tell them it benefits them to set the appointment soon!
Our website is a great resource for verifying the status of your report.: No more phone and fax tag. Up-to-the-minute status updates are available online, anytime, 24/7. As each important milestone in an assignment is completed, that information can be viewed instantly online. There's no easier or faster way to track your report's status.