Some Hints for Swifter Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. Often, it seems, appraisers are asked to present more information or have steps added to their appraisal process. They do this additional work to ensure the end user gets the best information possible. In order to stay current with the continuously changing requirements, Anderson Appraisal, LLC is constantly seeking additional tools and tweaking processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for more effectively. Since Anderson Appraisal, LLC knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed some items you can do to lower turn times on any appraisals ordered from Anderson Appraisal, LLC.

Are you ordering appraisals online?: With online ordering, you get automatic e-mail notifications that the order was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This is the single biggest time saver available to both of us! We don't have to retype information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether the order was received.
Confirm that the subject property data is accurate and complete.: 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. We even welcome lists of recent sales from the area — remember, however, that professional appraisers are lawfully required to 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 unique?: Cookie-cutter houses are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how details unique to a property contribute to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. Let us know up front when you order your report 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 predisposed to flooding. These are things we'll find out on our own anyway, and knowing them as early as possible is likely to make your report arrive earlier.
Set proper expectations with the homeowner.: One of the most inefficient steps of the appraisal process is confirming an inspection date with the homeowner. Some homeowners are justifiably uncomfortable with the fact an unknown persons wants to come in their house, look around, and take copious notes. One common belief is that they should make the place spotless before the appraisal inspection, with the notion that will increase the value. And will choose to not schedule the appraisal inspection until it is cleaned.

Hearing it directly from you -- the 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 make it more likely their sale will close, and can go a long way toward trimming the time it takes to inspect a home. Our website has several pages of useful information about the appraisal process for homeowners. I encourage you to share it with your customers. Advise them to 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 promptly!
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 each important milestone in an assignment is completed, that information can be viewed instantly online. It's never been easier to track your report's status.