Some Steps to Shorter Turn Times

The appraisal profession is always evolving. Often, it seems, appraisers are asked to offer more information or have steps added to their appraisal process. All to ensure the end user is presented with the best information possible. In order to stay current with the always changing requirements, All-Star Appraisers is constantly seeking additional tools and improving processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. At All-Star Appraisers we know that time is important to everybody, so here are some items you can do to lessen turn times on any appraisals ordered from All-Star Appraisers.

Order your appraisals on the Internet.: By ordering online, you get automatic e-mail notifications that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. It's the single biggest time saver available to both of us! No longer do we have to manually enter information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether we got the order.
Verify that the subject property information is accurate and complete.: There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to unnecessarily interrupt an appraisal assignment. And if you have a tax parcel number, plat map number, subdivision name or anything else that uniquely identifies the property, please pass it along. Even a list of recent area sales 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 letting us know up front any elements of the property that might make it distinct?: Cookie-cutter houses are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how differing elements 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 put on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's prone to flooding. These are things we'll find out on our own anyway, and knowing them sooner makes your report arrive quicker.
Be sure the occupants know the the plan.: One of the most time consuming steps of the appraisal process is setting an inspection date with the current homeowner. Many homeowners are clearly apprehensive with the thought an unknown persons wants to come in their house, look around, and make abundant notes. With the belief that it will increase the value, many homeowners believe they need to make the place spotless before the inspection. And will put off the inspection until they have cleaned.

Hearing from you -- the person they've been working with on their loan -- some knowledge about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't affect their home's value one little bit, and can shorten the appraisal inspection time. Please feel free to point your customers to our website, where we have multiple pages of relevant information for homeowners as well as others about the appraisal process. Encourage them to call us if they want to become familiar with our staff and services. Remind them it's to their benefit to set the appointment promptly!
Why not our website as a resource to follow 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 way to track the status of your report.