Some Steps to Shorter Turn Times

Appraising is an always changing profession. On a regular basis, it seems, appraisers are asked to present more information or have steps added to their data gathering. All of this is to guarantee their client has the best information to be had. In order to stay current with the always changing requirements, All-Star Appraisers is constantly testing new tools and improving processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our clients. Since All-Star Appraisers knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed a few items you can do to accelerate the process on any appraisals you order with All-Star Appraisers.

Are you ordering appraisals online?: When you order online, you automatically get e-mail acknowledgements 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 manually enter information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether the order was received.
Verify that the subject property information is accurate and complete.: Being just one number off on the street address can really unnecessarily slow down an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name are helpful data to include with the request. Even a list of recent sales in the area is welcome — though be advised that professional appraisers are lawfully required to do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.
Are you telling us up front any characteristics of the property that might make it unique?: It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter home. What takes time is analyzing how unique details 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 features of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition put on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's predisposed to flooding. While these are things that we would find out on our own, knowing them as early as possible makes your report arrive sooner.
Let the homeowner know what to expect.: One of the most inefficient parts of the appraisal process is confirming an inspection date with the current homeowner. Many current homeowners are justifiably uneasy with the fact a stranger wants to come in their home, look around, and take abundant notes. With the idea that it will increase the value, many homeowners think they must make the place spotless before the appraisal inspection. And will delay the appointment until the house is cleaned.

Coming directly from you -- a person they have been working with on their loan -- a short explanation 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 go a long way toward trimming the time it takes to inspect a home. Please feel free to point your customers to our website, where we have lots of pages of relevant information for homeowners as well as others about the appraisal process. Have them call us if they want to meet the staff and learn more about our services. Remind them it benefits them to set the appointment promptly!
Our website is a great resource for keeping tabs on the status of your report.: 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. There's no faster or easier way to keep track of your report's status.