A Few Suggestions for Shorter Turn Times

The appraisal profession is continuously evolving. Often, it seems, appraisers are asked to provide extra information or have steps added to their appraisal process. They do this extra work to guarantee the end user receives the best information to be had. In order to stay current with the always changing requirements, Astute Appraisals, Inc. is always researching new tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. At Astute Appraisals, Inc. we know that time is important to everybody, so we've listed a few items you can do to speed up the process every time you order an appraisal with Astute Appraisals, Inc..

Are you ordering appraisals online?: When you order online, you automatically get e-mail confirmations that the request 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 you don't have to 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. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name are great data to include with your request. We even welcome lists of recent sales in the area — remember, however, that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours might differ from yours.
Are you letting us know up front any characteristics of the property that might make it distinct?: It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter house. What takes time is analyzing how differing features 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 details of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition built on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's susceptible to flooding. While these are things that we'll find out on our own, knowing them as early as possible will likely make your report arrive faster.
Do the occupants know what to expect?: One of the most inefficient steps of the appraisal process is setting an appointment with the current homeowner. We understand that a homeowner may be uneasy with an outsider looking in every square foot of their home, taking pictures, and making copious notes. Under the belief that it will increase the appraised value, some homeowners feel they ought to make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by. So they delay the appraisal inspection until it is cleaned.

Coming directly from you -- a person they have been working with on their loan -- a little information about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't affect their home's value one little bit, and likely shorten the appraisal inspection time. Please feel free to point your clients to this website, where we have lots of pages of useful information for homeowners and others regarding the appraisal process. Encourage them to call us if they want to become familiar with our staff and services. Remind them it benefits them to set the appointment as soon as possible!
Use our website to keep track of your report's status.: No more phone and fax tag. Up-to-the-minute status updates are available online, anytime, 24/7. As each important milestone in an assignment is completed, that information is instantly available to you online. There's no faster way to keep track of your report's status.