Five Hints for Shorter Turn Times

The appraisal profession is continuously evolving. Regularly, it seems, appraisers are asked to supply additional information or have steps added to their appraisal process. All of this is to ensure the end user gets the best information possible. To stay current with the continuously changing requirements, Property One Appraisals is constantly seeking additional tools and tweaking processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for in less time. At Property One Appraisals we know that time is important to everybody, so here are some tips you can do to trim turn times on any appraisals ordered with Property One Appraisals.

Are you ordering appraisals online?: By ordering online, you automatically get e-mail acknowledgements that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip single-handedly will save the most time! No longer do we have to re-key information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether the order was received.
Verify that the subject property data is accurate and complete.: There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to unnecessarily slow down an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name is helpful information to pass long with your request. Even a list of recent area sales is welcome — remember, however, that professional appraisers are lawfully required to do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may be different from yours.
Be sure to tell us about the unique elements of this property.: Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how features unique to a property add to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. Let us know up front when you order your report if there are unique characteristics of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition put on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's prone to flooding. While these are things that we'd find out on our own, knowing them as early as possible makes your report arrive faster.
Be sure the homeowner knows the the plan.: One of the most tedious steps of the appraisal process is confirming an inspection date with the occupants of the home. Some current homeowners are justifiably apprehensive with the thought a stranger wants to come in their house, look around, and make abundant notes. Believing that it will increase the value, some homeowners feel they must make the place spotless before the appraisal inspection. So they choose to not schedule the appraisal inspection until they can get around to cleaning.

Hearing from you -- someone they have been working with on their loan -- a little knowledge 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. Our website has several pages of relevant information about the appraisal process for homeowners. Please feel free to share it with your clients. Have them call us if they want to familiarize themselves with the staff and our services. And tell them it's in their interest to set the appointment without delay!
Use our website to track your report's status.: 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 is available to you online. It's never been easier to keep track of your report's status.