5 Suggestions for Faster Turn Times

The appraisal profession is always evolving. On a regular basis, it seems, appraisers are asked to include additional information or have steps added to their research. All to guarantee their client has the best data to be had. To keep up with the constantly changing requirements, A. M. Appraisals is constantly testing new tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for faster. Since A. M. Appraisals knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed some items you can do to lower turn times each time you order an appraisal with A. M. Appraisals.

Are you ordering appraisals online?

By ordering online, you automatically receive e-mail acknowledgements that the order was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip single-handedly will save the most time! We don't have to manually enter information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether the order was received.

Are you providing complete and accurate data about the subject property?

There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to unnecessarily delay an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name is good information to include with your request. We even welcome lists of recent sales in 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.

You're always free to contact us if you have any questions about your property or an appraisal we're working on for you.

Be sure to tell us about the unique details of this property.

Cookie-cutter houses are relatively easy to appraise. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how differing 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 characteristics of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition put on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's prone to flooding. While these are things that we would find out on our own, knowing them early on is likely to make your report arrive more quickly.

Does the homeowner know what to expect?

Setting an appointment with the homeowner can be one of the most tedious tasks in the appraisal process. We understand that a homeowner may be uneasy with a stranger inspecting every corner of their home, taking photos, and making lots of notes. One common belief is that they ought to make the place spotless before the appraisal inspection, with the notion that will make the house appraise higher. And will reschedule the appointment until it is cleaned.

Coming directly from you -- a person they have been working with on their loan -- a little info about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't increase their home's value one little bit, and likely decrease the appraisal inspection time. I encourage you to point your clients to our website, where we have several pages of useful information for homeowners as well as others about the appraisal process. Have them call us if they want to become familiar with our staff and services. Remind them it benefits them to set the appointment quickly!

Use our website to keep track of 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 each important milestone in an assignment is completed, that information can be viewed instantly online. There's no easier or faster way to keep track of the status of your report.