A Few Steps to Quicker Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. On a regular basis, it seems, appraisers are asked to present more information or have steps added to their process. All to ensure their client has the best information available. To stay current with the constantly changing requirements, Appraisal Pro Group is constantly seeking new tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. Since Appraisal Pro Group knows that time is important to everyone, here are some things you can do to decrease turn times on any appraisals ordered from Appraisal Pro Group.

Are you ordering appraisals online?: By ordering online, you automatically receive e-mail confirmations that the request 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 the order was received.
Are you providing complete and accurate data about the subject property?: Having just one number incorrect on the street address can really unnecessarily slow down 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 — remember, however, that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.
Let us know up front of the property's unique details.: Cookie-cutter houses are relatively easy to appraise. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how differing elements contribute 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 elements of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition constructed, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's prone to flooding. These are things we'd find out on our own anyway, and knowing them early on will likely make your report arrive quicker.
Do the occupants know what to expect?: Setting an appointment with the homeowner can be one of the most inefficient tasks in the appraisal process. Some current homeowners are understandably uncomfortable with the fact an unknown persons wants to come in their house, look around, and take abundant notes. Thinking that it will increase the appraised value, a few homeowners feel they need to make the place spotless before the inspection. So they delay the appointment until they have cleaned.

Hearing from you -- a person they've been working with on their loan -- some info about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't increase their home's value one little bit, and can shorten the time it takes to inspect a home. I encourage you to point your customers to our website, where we have many pages of relevant information for homeowners and others describing the appraisal process. Advise them to call us if they want to become familiar with the staff and our services. And tell them it benefits them to set the appointment without delay!
Our website is a great resource for tracking the status of your report.: No more phone and fax tag. Up-to-the-minute status updates are available online, anytime, 24/7. As we complete each important milestone in an assignment, that information can be viewed instantly online. There's no easier or faster way to track your report's status.