A Few Suggestions for Swifter Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. Every year, it seems, appraisers are asked to provide more information or have steps added to their research. All of this is to ensure the end user has the best data to be had. To keep up with the constantly changing requirements, Appraisal-One is constantly acquiring new tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. Since Appraisal-One knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed some tips you can do to accelerate the process on any appraisals you order with Appraisal-One.

Are you ordering appraisals online?: With online ordering, you automatically receive e-mail notifications 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 manually enter 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?: Having just one number incorrect 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. Even a list of recent area sales is welcome — though be advised that professional appraisers are lawfully required to do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours might differ from yours.
Are you letting us know up front any details of the property that might make it unique?: Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how features unique to a property add to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. When you order your report, let us know if there are unique characteristics of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition put on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's susceptible to flooding. While these are things that we would find out on our own, knowing them sooner makes your report arrive faster.
Set proper expectations with the homeowner.: One of the most time consuming steps of the appraisal process is setting an inspection date with the occupants of the home. Many homeowners are clearly apprehensive with the idea a stranger wants to come in their house, look around, and take numerous notes. Not uncommonly they think they should make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by, thinking that will make the house appraise for more money. And will delay the inspection until they have cleaned.

Hearing it directly from you -- a person they have been working with on their loan -- a little knowledge 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 time it takes to inspect a home. I encourage you to point them to our website, where we have multiple pages of helpful information for homeowners and others describing the appraisal process. They can even call us if they want to meet our staff and learn more about our services. Remind them it benefits them to set the appointment quickly!
Our website is a great resource for tracking 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 each important milestone in an assignment is completed, that information is instantly available to you online. It's never been easier to keep track of your report's status.