The appraisal profession is evolving constantly. Regularly, it seems, appraisers are asked to present additional information or have steps added to their process. They do this extra work to ensure the end user is presented with the best analysis that can be achieved. In order to keep up with the always changing requirements, Appraisal Keys, Inc is continuously seeking new tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. At Appraisal Keys, Inc we know that time is important to everybody, so below are a couple of items you can do to reduce turn times on any appraisals ordered from Appraisal Keys, Inc:
- Order your appraisals electronically. When you order online, you automatically receive e-mail confirmations that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip single-handedly will save the most time! No longer do we have to re-key information from a fax, and you don’t have to wonder whether the order was received.
- Complete and accurate subject property information is crucial. 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 along with your request. Even a list of recent sales from the area is welcome — though be advised that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours might differ from yours.
- Be sure to tell us about the property’s distinct characteristics. Cookie-cutter houses are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how unique characteristics 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 features of the home or surrounding area — for example, it’s had a recent addition constructed, it’s subject to zoning restrictions, and it’s susceptible to flooding. While these are things that we’d find out on our own, knowing them as early as possible is likely to make your report arrive without delay.
- Are you making the occupants of the home aware of what to expect? Setting an inspection time and date with the homeowner can be one of the most inefficient parts in the appraisal process. We understand that a homeowner may be uneasy with an outsider inspecting every square foot of their home, taking pictures, and making numerous notes. A common belief is that they need to make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by, with the idea that will increase the appraised value . So they put off the appointment until the house is cleaned.
Hearing it directly from you — a trusted party with whom they are already working — some info about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won’t make a significant difference in their home’s value, will help move the process along for everyone. I encourage you to point them to our website, where we have multiple pages of useful information for homeowners as well as others describing the appraisal process. Tell them to call us if they want to familiarize themselves with the staff and our services. And tell them it benefits them to set the appointment as quickly as possible! - Use our website 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 or easier way to keep track of your report’s status.
