Five Hints for Quicker Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. Regularly, it seems, appraisers are asked to offer extra information or have steps added to their process. All of this is to ensure their client gets the best information available. To keep up with the always changing requirements, Associate Appraisers of America is constantly testing new tools and improving processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. At Associate Appraisers of America we know that time is important to everybody, so we've listed a couple of things you can do to lower turn times on any appraisals ordered from Associate Appraisers of America.

Are you ordering appraisals online?: By ordering online, you receive automatic e-mail notifications that the request was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip single-handedly will save the most time! No longer do we have to re-key information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether we received the request.
Make sure that the subject property information is accurate and complete.: Having just one number incorrect on the street address can really unnecessarily interrupt 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 may differ from yours.
Be sure to let us know about the unique characteristics of this property.: Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how features unique to a property 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 recently had an addition built 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 soon as possible makes your report arrive quicker.
Set proper expectations with the occupants.: Setting an inspection time and date with the homeowner can be one of the most time consuming steps in the appraisal process. Many current homeowners are clearly uncomfortable with the notion an unknown persons wants to come in their house, look around, and take copious notes. Not uncommonly they think they must make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by, believing that will make the house appraise higher. So they put off the inspection until the house is cleaned.

Hearing from you -- someone they are working with on their loan -- some 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 likely decrease the appraisal inspection time. Our website has several pages of helpful information about the appraisal process for homeowners. Please feel free to share it with your customers. Have them call us if they want to meet our staff and learn more about our services. Remind them it benefits them to set the appointment quickly!
Are you using our website as a resource to keep tabs on the status of your report?: Phone and fax tag are a thing of the past with 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 faster to keep track of your report's status.