A Few Steps to Shorter Turn Times

Appraising is an always changing profession. On a regular basis, it seems, appraisers are asked to offer more information or have steps added to their appraisal process. All of this is to guarantee the end user receives the best information available. In order to stay current with the always changing requirements, ASAP Appraisal Group is constantly seeking additional tools and improving processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. Since ASAP Appraisal Group knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed a handful of items you can do to lower turn times whenever you order an appraisal with ASAP Appraisal Group.

Are you ordering appraisals online?: With online ordering, you get automatic e-mail confirmations that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip alone will save the most time! We don't have to re-key information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether we got the request.
Are you providing complete and accurate data about the subject property?: There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to add unnecessary time to an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name are great data to pass long with the request. Even a list of recent sales from the area is welcome — remember, however, 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 characteristics of the property that might make it unique?: Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how differing characteristics add 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 elements of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition built on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's susceptible to flooding. While these are things that we will find out on our own, knowing them as early as possible makes your report arrive sooner.
Did you make the occupants of the home aware of what to expect?: Confirming an appointment with the homeowner can be one of the most inefficient steps in the appraisal process. It's understandable for a homeowner to be apprehensive with an outsider inspecting every corner of their home, taking pictures, and making copious notes. Having the thought that it will increase the value, some homeowners believe they must make the place spotless before the inspection. And will choose to not schedule the appraisal inspection until they can get around to cleaning.

Coming from you -- someone they are working with on their loan -- some information 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. Please feel free to point your customers to our website, where we have many pages of useful information for homeowners as well as others about the appraisal process. Have them call us if they want to familiarize themselves with our staff and services. And tell them it benefits them to set the appointment soon!
Are you using our website as a resource 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 each important milestone in an assignment is completed, that information can be viewed instantly online. There's no faster or easier way to track the status of your report.