Five Suggestions for Faster Turn Times

The appraisal profession is always evolving. Regularly, it seems, appraisers are asked to include more information or have steps added to their data gathering. They do this extra work to ensure the end user gets the best information available. To keep up with the constantly changing requirements, is always testing additional tools and improving processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. At we know that time is important to everybody, so we've listed some tips you can do to lower turn times on any appraisals ordered with .

Order your appraisals online.: By ordering online, you automatically receive e-mail notifications that the order 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 manually enter information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether we got the order.
Confirm that the subject property information is accurate and complete.: There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to unnecessarily delay an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name is great information to pass long with the assignment. Even a list of recent area sales is welcome — though be advised that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.
Tell us up front of the property's distinct details.: It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter home. What takes time is analyzing how unique details add to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. When you order your report, let us know if there are unique elements of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition constructed, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's predisposed to flooding. These are things we would find out on our own anyway, and knowing them as soon as possible will likely make your report arrive sooner.
What are you doing to make the homeowner of the home aware of what to expect?: One of the most time consuming tasks of the appraisal process is confirming an appointment with the homeowner. Many homeowners are clearly apprehensive with the thought an outsider wants to come in their home, look around, and make numerous notes. A common belief is that they have to make the place spotless before the inspection, with the notion that will increase the appraised value. And will reschedule the inspection until it is cleaned.

Hearing from you -- the person they are working with on their loan -- some 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 appraisal inspection time. Our website has many pages of relevant information about the appraisal process for homeowners. I encourage you to share it with your customers. They can even call us if they want to meet our staff and learn more about 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.: Why are you still playing phone and fax tag when our website offers up-to-the-minute status updates 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 way to keep track of your report's status.