5 Steps to Shorter Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. Regularly, it seems, appraisers are asked to provide additional information or have steps added to their appraisal process. All to guarantee the end user gets the best data to be had. To stay current with the continuously changing requirements, Astute Appraisals, Inc. is always seeking additional tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our clients. At Astute Appraisals, Inc. we know that time is important to everybody, so below are a few items you can do to speed up the process whenever you order an appraisal with Astute Appraisals, Inc..

Are you ordering appraisals online?: When you order online, you automatically receive e-mail confirmations that the request was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip alone will save the most time! We don't have to retype information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether we got the order.
Are you providing complete and accurate information about the subject property?: There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to 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 must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.
Are you letting us know up front any elements of the property that might make it distinct?: Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how unique characteristics add 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 elements 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. These are things we'll find out on our own anyway, and knowing them as soon as possible makes your report arrive more quickly.
What are you doing to make the homeowner of the home aware of what to expect?: One of the most tedious steps of the appraisal process is confirming an appointment with the homeowner. It's understandable for a homeowner to be uneasy with a stranger looking in every corner of their home, taking pictures, and making lots of notes. Many commonly think they need to make the place spotless before the inspection, with the idea that will increase the appraised value. And will put off the appointment until they can get around to cleaning.

Coming from you -- a person they've been working with on their loan -- a little 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 decrease the appraisal inspection time. I encourage you to point your customers to this website, where we have multiple pages of helpful information for homeowners as well as others describing the appraisal process. Advise them to call us if they want to meet our staff and learn more about our services. Remind them it benefits them to set the appointment promptly!
Use our website to follow 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 is available instantly to you online. It's never been easier to track the status of your report.