5 Suggestions for Shorter Turn Times

Appraising is an always changing profession. Regularly, it seems, appraisers are asked to include additional information or have steps added to their process. They do this extra work to guarantee the end user receives the best information possible. In order to keep up with the continuously changing requirements, Associate Appraisers of America is always researching new tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our customers. Since Associate Appraisers of America knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed a few items you can do to speed up the process on any appraisals you order with Associate Appraisers of America.

Are you ordering appraisals online?: When you order online, you automatically get e-mail notifications that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip alone will save the most time! We don't have to re-key information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether we got the request.
Confirm that the subject property information is accurate and complete.: There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to 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. Even a list of recent area sales is welcome — though be advised that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours might differ from yours.
Are you letting us know up front any characteristics of the property that might make it distinct?: It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter home. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how unique details add 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 characteristics of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition built on, 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 sooner makes your report arrive sooner.
Be sure the occupants know the the plan.: One of the most inefficient parts of the appraisal process is setting an inspection date with the occupants of the home. Many homeowners are understandably uneasy with the thought an outsider wants to come in their house, look around, and make abundant notes. With the notion that it will make the house appraise higher, some homeowners believe they have to make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by. And will put off the appointment until they have cleaned.

Coming from you -- a person they have been working with on their loan -- a little information about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't affect their home's value one little bit, and can go a long way toward trimming the time it takes to inspect a home. I encourage you to point your clients to our website, where we have several pages of helpful information for homeowners and others describing the appraisal process. Have them call us if they want to meet our staff and learn more about our services. And tell them it benefits them to set the appointment quickly!
Our website is a great resource for keeping tabs on your report's status.: 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 can be viewed instantly online. It's never been easier to track the status of your report.