5 Steps to Shorter Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. Each year, it seems, appraisers are asked to provide extra information or have steps added to their data gathering. All to ensure the end user receives the best information available. In order to keep up with the always changing requirements, Appraisal House, Inc. is always seeking additional tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our customers. Since Appraisal House, Inc. knows that time is important to everyone, below are some things you can do to hasten the process each time you order an appraisal with Appraisal House, Inc..

Are you ordering appraisals online?: When you order online, you get automatic e-mail notifications that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip alone will save the most time! No longer do we have to retype information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether we got the request.
Are you providing complete and accurate information about the subject property?: Being just one number off on the street address can really unnecessarily interrupt an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name is helpful information to include with your assignment. Even a list of recent area sales is welcome — though be advised 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.: Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how characteristics 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 details of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition constructed, 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 early on makes your report arrive without delay.
Do the occupants know what to expect?: Confirming an inspection time and date with the homeowner can be one of the most inefficient tasks in the appraisal process. We understand that a homeowner may be uncomfortable with an unknown person inspecting every corner of their home, taking pictures, and making numerous notes. With the belief that it will increase the appraised value, many homeowners believe they must make the place spotless before the inspection. And will reschedule the inspection until it is cleaned.

Coming directly from you -- a person they've been working with on their loan -- some knowledge about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't change their home's value one little bit, and likely shorten the appraisal inspection time. Our website has lots of pages of relevant information about the appraisal process for homeowners. I encourage you to share it with your clients. Have them call us if they want to become familiar with our staff and services. And tell them it benefits them to set the appointment promptly!
Easily verify the status of your report on our website.: 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 is available to you online. It's never been faster to track your report's status.