5 Suggestions for Swifter Turn Times

The appraisal profession is constantly evolving. Often, it seems, appraisers are asked to supply extra information or have steps added to their process. All of this is to guarantee their client receives the most useful analysis. In order to stay current with the constantly changing requirements, The Appraisal Firm is always researching additional tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. Since The Appraisal Firm knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed a few items you can do to lessen turn times whenever you order an appraisal from The Appraisal Firm:

Order your appraisals electronically. By ordering online, you get automatic e-mail notifications that the request was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. Ordering online is the single biggest time saver available to both of us! No longer do we have to re-key information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether we got the order.
Are you providing complete and accurate data about the subject property? Being just one number off 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 include with your request. Even a list of recent sales from the area is welcome — however, remember that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours might differ from yours.


	Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about your property or an appraisal we're working on for you.

Be sure to let us know about the unique characteristics of this property. Cookie-cutter houses are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how unique elements 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 characteristics of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition put on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, and it's susceptible to flooding. These are things we'll find out on our own anyway, and knowing them sooner makes your report arrive faster.
Set proper expectations with the homeowner. One of the most inefficient parts of the appraisal process is setting an inspection date with the occupants of the home. Many current homeowners are justifiably uneasy with the idea that a stranger wants to come in their home, look around, and make numerous notes. Under the impression that it will increase the appraised value, a few homeowners believe they ought to make the place spotless before the inspection . So they put off the appointment until the house is cleaned.

Hearing from you -- a trusted party with whom they already have a business relationship -- a little bit about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't change their home's value one bit, will help move the process along for everyone. I encourage you to point them to this website, where we have several pages of relevant information for homeowners and others about the appraisal process. Tell them to call us if they want to familiarize themselves with the staff and our services. Remind them it's to their benefit to set the appointment without delay!
Why not use our website as a resource to follow your report's status? 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. It's never been easier and faster to track the status of your report.