5 Tips for Faster Turn Times

The appraisal profession is always evolving. Regularly, it seems, appraisers are asked to supply additional information or have steps added to their appraisal process. All to ensure the end user gets the best data possible. To keep up with the constantly changing requirements, Dependable Real Estate Appraisers is always researching new tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. Since Dependable Real Estate Appraisers knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed some things you can do to lower turn times when you order an appraisal with Dependable Real Estate Appraisers.

Are you ordering appraisals online?: When you order online, you automatically receive e-mail notifications that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip alone will save the most time! No longer do we have to retype information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether we received the order.
Complete and accurate subject property information is crucial.: There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to 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 sales from the area is welcome — though be advised that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.
Are you telling us up front any features of the property that might make it unique?: Cookie-cutter houses are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how unique features 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 constructed, 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 appointment with the homeowner can be one of the most time consuming steps in the appraisal process. Some homeowners are understandably uneasy with the notion a stranger wants to come in their home, look around, and make abundant notes. Not uncommonly they think they ought to make the place spotless before the appraisal inspection, having the thought that will increase the value. So they reschedule the appraisal inspection until it is cleaned.

Coming directly from you -- someone they have been working with on their loan -- some info about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't change their home's value one little bit, and likely shorten the appraisal inspection time. Our website has multiple pages of helpful information about the appraisal process for homeowners. Please feel free to share it with your clients. Tell them to call us if they want to familiarize themselves with the staff and our services. And tell them it benefits them to set the appointment quickly!
Use our website to keep 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 and faster to keep track of the status of your report.