A Few Tips for Shorter Turn Times

The appraisal profession is constantly evolving. Commonly, it seems, appraisers are asked to present additional information or have steps added to their data gathering. All to guarantee the end user gets the best information to be had. To stay current with the constantly changing requirements, Astute Appraisals, Inc. is continuously testing new tools and improving processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for in less time. Since Astute Appraisals, Inc. knows that time is important to everyone, here are some tips you can do to lessen turn times when you order an appraisal with Astute Appraisals, Inc..

Always order your appraisals on the Internet.: With online ordering, you receive automatic e-mail notifications that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. Online ordering is the single biggest time saver available to both of us! We don't have to manually enter information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether we got the request.
Complete and accurate subject property data is essential.: 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 include with the assignment. We even welcome lists of recent sales from the area — though be advised that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.
Tell us up front of the property's distinct details.: Cookie-cutter houses are relatively easy to appraise. Most of an appraiser's time is spent 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 features of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition constructed, 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 sooner will likely make your report arrive earlier.
Are you making the occupants of the home aware of what to expect?: Confirming an appointment with the homeowner can be one of the most time consuming parts in the appraisal process. Some current homeowners are clearly uncomfortable with the fact an outsider wants to come in their home, look around, and make numerous notes. One common belief is that they have to make the place spotless before the inspection, thinking that will increase the value. So they reschedule the inspection until they can get around to cleaning.

Hearing from you -- the person they've been working with on their loan -- some knowledge about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't make it more likely their sale will close, and likely decrease the appraisal inspection time. Our website has multiple pages of useful 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. And tell them it's to their advantage to set the appointment without delay!
Why not our website as a resource to track your report's status?: 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 can be viewed instantly online. There's no easier way to track the status of your report.