Five Hints for Shorter Turn Times

The appraisal profession is always evolving. Often, it seems, appraisers are asked to present additional information or have steps added to their appraisal process. All to guarantee their client receives the best data to be had. In order to stay current with the continuously changing requirements, Timely Appraisal Services is constantly acquiring new tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our clients. Since Timely Appraisal Services knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed a few items you can do to reduce turn times each time you order an appraisal from Timely Appraisal Services.

Always order your appraisals on the Internet.: With online ordering, 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 re-key information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether the order was received.
Are you providing complete and accurate data about the subject property?: Having just one number incorrect on the street address can really unnecessarily delay 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. 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 differ from yours.
Are you telling us up front any elements of the property that might make it unique?: Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how elements unique to a property contribute 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 elements of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition built on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's prone to flooding. These are things we'll find out on our own anyway, and knowing them sooner is likely to make your report arrive faster.
Are you making the homeowner of the home aware of what to expect?: Confirming an appointment with the homeowner can be one of the most tedious steps in the appraisal process. Many current homeowners are understandably apprehensive with the fact an outsider wants to come in their house, look around, and take abundant notes. With the belief that it will increase the value, many homeowners feel they ought to make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by. So they choose to not schedule the inspection until they can get around to cleaning.

Hearing it directly from you -- someone they are working with on their loan -- some knowledge about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't affect their home's value one little bit, and can shorten the appraisal inspection time. Our website has several pages of helpful information about the appraisal process for homeowners. Please feel free to share it with your clients. They can even call us if they want to meet the staff and learn more about our services. Remind them it benefits them to set the appointment quickly!
Easily keep tabs on 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 instantly to you online. There's no faster or easier way to track the status of your report.