Astute Appraisals, Inc. leads the pack in advanced appraisal technology

At Astute Appraisals, Inc., technology is the name of the game. We have the latest devices that help us get the job done faster than ever. From smart phones and tablets to laser measuring and GPS devices, we are always looking to find better, faster methods for appraising. Call us geeks. Call us nerds. Call us what you will, but by all means, call us at 410-499-9940 for appraisal orders in Howard County!

The appraisal process has changed enormously lately and most would say it's much more demanding. We offer the highest quality appraisals and cutting corners has never been an option for us — we've found that the best place to save time is by adjusting our workflow. We strive to be the very best and we've found that using the very latest in new technology allows us to bring you more accurate reports, quicker turnaround times, and of course, the very best in customer service.

Work with someone who uses technology to their advantage

Enhancing the ordering experience

Years ago, most of our orders were delivered via fax and were confirmed with phone calls once we got back to the office. In this scenario, it might of taken hours to hear back to see if the order could be taken. Things are quite a bit different different now. When an order is placed on the site, we receive a digital notification. We often log into our site from the field and send back an email confirmation – including the time and date for the inspection if we've been able to talk to the occupant.

At Astute Appraisals, Inc. we understand it's all about "cycle time". The less waiting between communications and the faster we can get things done directly effects your bottom-line. This website definitely reduces cycle time for us and our clients by enhancing our communications.

Secure appraisal delivery

Delivery of appraisals as PDF files through email is definitely the standard these days. Generally our clients are most familiar with receiving PDFs attached to their email. It's much faster than when everything was on paper. But,we've even been able to enhance how you receive your report with this website.

Ever lost a file that was sent to you? Or have you ever had problems sending or receiving an email because of the file size? We have the technology to overcome those problems, too. When we deliver an appraisal through our website, the client receives a link via email to retrieve the PDF. By bypassing email completely we get around any problems caused by file size. The download link is even good for a full 90 days. So if anything happens to the file, you can log back into our site and retrieve it without having to wait on us to send it again.

Advanced data gathering tools

The appraisal process is nothing if not a data intensive routine. We spend much of our time gathering the facts on the subject property, as well as the local market data and trends. Astute Appraisals, Inc. employs technology to close the gap once again.

We've learned that taking notes the standard way, using pencil and paper, generally takes longer since we have to enter everything back in at the office. Don't be surprised to see us with a tablet or collecting data using a program for our phone that allows us to sketch a floorplan right on site. Rather than using a clumsy, old tape measure, a large percentage appraisers are employing laser measuring devices that are quicker, more accurate, and can get into places that a normal tape measure can't.

Using this technology allows us to ensure an accurate report, avoiding call-backs and revisions. This can be a real money saver for busy appraisal clients.

Simplified digital work files

It would be great if appraisers could complete an appraisal, deliver it, and never worry about revisiting that report again. But one purpose of an appraisal is as a legal document outlining the condition of a property on a specific date. Therefore, appraisers must retain their reports for 5 years, allowing them to recall any appraisal at any time to defend the valuation or to be used in legal proceedings.

Here again, Astute Appraisals, Inc. uses all the technology at our disposal to improve service. We store every part of the appraisal - notes, sketches, supporting documentation, and calculations - along with an electronic copy of the appraisal, we can pull up the entire file whenever it's needed and recall precisely what that report was about.

These are just a few examples of how we use technology daily. Employing the right software, gadgets, and a high level of customer service allows the appraiser to collect the right data and finish the report quickly and more accurately. All of which helps keep our costs down, and in turn provide you with faster appraisals.