Some Tips for Faster Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. Every year, it seems, appraisers are asked to provide additional information or have steps added to their appraisal process. All of this is to ensure the end user is presented with the best information available. To stay current with the continuously changing requirements, Associate Appraisers of America is continuously acquiring new tools and tweaking processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. Since Associate Appraisers of America knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed a couple of items you can do to lower turn times on any appraisals you order with Associate Appraisers of America.

Are you ordering appraisals online?: With online ordering, you automatically get e-mail notifications 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 manually enter information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether the order was received.
Complete and accurate subject property data is essential.: Being just one number off 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. We even welcome lists of recent sales from the area — though be advised that professional appraisers are lawfully required to do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours might differ from yours.
Be sure to let us know about the unique elements of this property.: Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how differing features add to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. When ordering 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 predisposed to flooding. While these are things that we will find out on our own, knowing them early on will likely make your report arrive earlier.
Let the occupants know what to expect.: One of the most inefficient steps of the appraisal process is confirming an inspection date with the homeowner. It's understandable for a homeowner to be apprehensive with an outsider looking in every square foot of their home, taking pictures, and making copious notes. Having the thought that it will increase the value, some homeowners believe they ought to make the place spotless before the inspection. And will delay the appointment until the house is 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 make it more likely their sale will close, and likely decrease the appraisal inspection time. I encourage you to point your customers to our website, where we have several pages of helpful information for homeowners as well as others describing the appraisal process. Have them call us if they want to familiarize themselves with our staff and services. And tell them it benefits them to set the appointment quickly!
Our website is a great resource for keeping tabs on the status of your report.: No more phone and fax tag. Up-to-the-minute status updates are 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 and faster to track your report's status.