5 Steps to Shorter Turn Times

The appraisal profession is always evolving. Commonly, it seems, appraisers are asked to supply extra information or have steps added to their process - all to guarantee their client is presented with the best data. To keep up with the continuously changing requirements, The Appraisal Firm is constantly researching new tools and tweaking processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our customers. At The Appraisal Firm we know that time is important to everybody, so we've listed a few items you can do to hasten the process on any appraisals you order from The Appraisal Firm:

Always order your appraisals electronically. When you order online, you receive automatic e-mail acknowledgements that the order was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip single-handedly will save the most time! No longer do we have to retype information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether the order was received.
Verify that the subject property information is accurate and complete. Being just one number off on the street address can really add unnecessary time to 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. We even welcome lists of recent sales in the area — however, remember that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may be different from yours.


	You're always free to contact us if you have any questions about your property or a job we're working on for you.

Be sure to tell us about the property's distinct characteristics. Cookie-cutter houses are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how unique details 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 built on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, and it's predisposed to flooding. While these are things that we will find out on our own, knowing them as early as possible makes your report arrive more quickly.
Do the occupants know what to expect? Setting an inspection time and date with the homeowner can be one of the most time consuming tasks in the appraisal process. We understand that a homeowner may be apprehensive with an outsider inspecting every corner of their home, taking pictures, and making numerous notes. Believing that it will make the house appraise higher, many homeowners think they have to make the place spotless before the appraisal inspection and will delay the appointment until it is cleaned.

Coming directly from you -- a trusted party with whom they already have a business relationship -- some knowledge about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't make a significant difference in their home's value, will help move the process along for everyone. Our website has several pages of helpful information about the appraisal process for homeowners. I encourage you to share it with your customers. Have them call us if they want to become familiar with our staff and services. Remind them it benefits them to set the appointment without delay!
Easily follow 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 we complete each important milestone in an assignment, that information is available to you online. It's never been easier to track your report's status.