5 Hints for Quicker Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. Regularly, it seems, appraisers are asked to present extra information or have steps added to their appraisal process. All to guarantee their client gets the best data possible. In order to stay current with the always changing requirements, Timely Appraisal Services is continuously researching new tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our customers. At Timely Appraisal Services we know that time is important to everybody, so below are some things you can do to accelerate the process whenever you order an appraisal with Timely Appraisal Services.

Are you ordering appraisals online?: When you order online, you receive automatic e-mail confirmations that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip alone will save the most time! We don't have to re-key information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether the order was received.
Confirm that the subject property information is accurate and complete.: There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to add unnecessary time to an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name are good data to pass long with the assignment. We even welcome lists of recent sales in the area — though be advised 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 features of the property that might make it unique?: It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter house. What takes time is analyzing how unique characteristics 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 elements of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition built on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's susceptible to flooding. These are things we'll find out on our own anyway, and knowing them as soon as possible makes your report arrive earlier.
Be sure the homeowner knows the the plan.: One of the most time consuming tasks of the appraisal process is confirming an inspection date with the occupants of the home. We understand that a homeowner may be uncomfortable with a stranger inspecting every corner of their home, taking photos, and making lots of notes. Having the thought that it will increase the appraised value, many homeowners feel they need to make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by. So they reschedule the appraisal inspection until the house is cleaned.

Hearing it directly from you -- the person they are working with on their loan -- some information about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't make it more likely their sale will close, and can shorten the appraisal inspection time. Please feel free to point them to this website, where we have several pages of relevant information for homeowners and others describing the appraisal process. They can even call us if they want to become familiar with the staff and our services. Remind them it benefits them to set the appointment quickly!
Our website is a great resource for following the status of your report.: 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 is instantly available to you online. It's never been easier to track your report's status.