5 Suggestions for Swifter Turn Times

Appraising is an always changing profession. Commonly, it seems, appraisers are asked to include extra information or have steps added to their research. All of this is to ensure their client has the best information available. To stay current with the continuously changing requirements, Appraisal Services is always researching new tools and improving processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for faster. Since Appraisal Services knows that time is important to everyone, below are a handful of tips you can do to hasten the process whenever you order an appraisal with Appraisal Services.

Always order your appraisals electronically.

When you order online, you get automatic e-mail acknowledgements that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip single-handedly will save the most time! We don't have to re-key information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether the order was received.

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 are great data to pass long with the assignment. We even welcome lists of recent sales in the area — remember, however, that professional appraisers are lawfully required to do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.

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

Are you telling us up front any details of the property that might make it distinct?

It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter home. What takes time is analyzing how unique elements contribute to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. Let us know up front when ordering your report if there are unique elements 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 would find out on our own, knowing them as soon as possible is likely to make your report arrive sooner.

Be sure the homeowner knows the the plan.

Setting an appointment with the homeowner can be one of the most inefficient parts in the appraisal process. Some homeowners are justifiably uncomfortable with the thought a stranger wants to come in their home, look around, and take lots of notes. With the idea that it will make the house appraise higher, some homeowners think they must make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by. And will put off the appointment until they can get around to cleaning.

Coming from you -- a person they have been working with on their loan -- a little info about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't increase their home's value one little bit, and can decrease the appraisal inspection time. I encourage you to point your clients to our website, where we have multiple pages of helpful information for homeowners as well as others regarding the appraisal process. Have them call us if they want to familiarize themselves with the staff and our services. And tell them it benefits them to set the appointment promptly!

Use our website to keep track of your report's status.

Phone and fax tag are a thing of the past with up-to-the-minute status updates available online, anytime, 24/7. As we complete each important milestone in an assignment, that information can be viewed instantly online. There's no easier or faster way to track your report's status.