A Few Suggestions for Shorter Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. On a regular basis, it seems, appraisers are asked to include more information or have steps added to their process. All of this is to guarantee the end user is presented with the best information possible. To stay current with the continuously changing requirements, The Appraisal Firm is always seeking new tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for in less time. Since The Appraisal Firm knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed some things you can do to lower turn times on any appraisals ordered from The Appraisal Firm.

Always order your appraisals on the Internet.

When you order online, you automatically receive e-mail confirmations 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 retype 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 helpful data to include with your request. Even a list of recent sales from the area is welcome — though be advised that professional appraisers are lawfully required to do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.

Feel free to call us at if you have any questions about your property or a job we're working on for you.

Let us know up front of the property's unique details.

It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter home. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how differing features 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 characteristics of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition constructed, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's susceptible to flooding. While these are things that we'll find out on our own, knowing them early on makes your report arrive faster.

Set proper expectations with the occupants.

One of the most tedious parts of the appraisal process is confirming an inspection date with the homeowner. We understand that a homeowner may be uneasy with an outsider inspecting every square foot of their home, taking photos, and making copious notes. With the belief that it will increase the appraised value, some homeowners feel they need to make the place spotless before the appraisal inspection. So they choose to not schedule the appointment until they have cleaned.

Hearing it directly from you -- someone they've 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 decrease the time it takes to inspect a home. Our website has several pages of relevant information about the appraisal process for homeowners. Please feel free to share it with your clients. They can even call us if they want to become familiar with our staff and services. Remind them it benefits them to set the appointment as soon as possible!

Our website is a great resource for following 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 is available to you online. There's no easier or faster way to keep track of your report's status.