Five Tips for Faster Turn Times

The appraisal profession is evolving constantly. Commonly, it seems, appraisers are asked to offer more information or have steps added to their data gathering. All to guarantee their client has the best data possible. To stay current with the constantly changing requirements, Astute Appraisals, Inc. is constantly acquiring additional tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our clients. At Astute Appraisals, Inc. we know that time is important to everybody, so below are a handful of items you can do to hasten the process on any appraisals you order with Astute Appraisals, Inc..

Always order your appraisals electronically.: When you order online, you automatically receive e-mail acknowledgements that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. It's the single biggest time saver available to both of us! We don't have to re-key information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether the order was received.
Are you providing complete and accurate information about the subject property?: 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 good data to include with the assignment. 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 might differ from yours.
Let us know up front of the property's distinct details.: Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how elements unique to a property contribute 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 details of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition constructed, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's susceptible to flooding. While these are things that we'd find out on our own, knowing them as soon as possible makes your report arrive without delay.
Be sure the occupants know the the plan.: One of the most tedious parts of the appraisal process is setting an appointment with the current homeowner. We understand that a homeowner may be uneasy with an outsider looking in every corner of their home, taking pictures, and making lots of notes. Thinking that it will increase the appraised value, many homeowners think they should make the place spotless before the inspection. So they delay the inspection until it is cleaned.

Coming directly from you -- a person they have been working with on their loan -- a little bit about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't make it more likely their sale will close, and can shorten the appraisal inspection time. Our website has many pages of relevant information about the appraisal process for homeowners. Please feel free to share it with your customers. Have them call us if they want to familiarize themselves with our staff and services. Remind them it benefits them to set the appointment soon!
Use our website to verify your report's status.: Phone and fax tag are a thing of the past with 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. It's never been easier to track the status of your report.