Five Suggestions for Quicker Turn Times

The appraisal profession is constantly evolving. Regularly, it seems, appraisers are asked to include extra information or have steps added to their research. All of this is to guarantee the end user receives the best information possible. To keep up with the always changing requirements, The Appraisal Shoppe is continuously testing additional tools and tweaking processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for more efficiently. At The Appraisal Shoppe we know that time is important to everybody, so we've listed some things you can do to reduce turn times every time you order an appraisal with The Appraisal Shoppe.

Always order your appraisals on the Internet.: By ordering online, you automatically get e-mail confirmations that the request was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. It's the single biggest time saver available to both of us! No longer do we have to retype 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 unnecessarily delay 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. 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 might differ from yours.
Tell us up front of the property's distinct features.: It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter home. What takes time is analyzing how unique 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 features 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'd find out on our own, knowing them sooner makes your report arrive quicker.
Let the occupants know what to expect.: Confirming an inspection time and date with the homeowner can be one of the most time consuming parts in the appraisal process. Many current homeowners are clearly uneasy with the idea an outsider wants to come in their house, look around, and make numerous notes. Thinking that it will increase the value, many homeowners believe they should make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by. And will reschedule the appraisal inspection until they have cleaned.

Coming directly from you -- someone they've been working with on their loan -- some 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. Our website has many pages of helpful information about the appraisal process for homeowners. Please feel free to share it with your clients. Encourage 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 soon!
Easily keep tabs on the status of your report on our website.: 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 we complete each important milestone in an assignment, that information is available instantly to you online. It's never been easier to track the status of your report.