A Few Tips for Swifter Turn Times

Appraising is an always changing profession. Commonly, it seems, appraisers are asked to provide extra information or have steps added to their appraisal process. All to ensure the end user has the best data to be had. In order to stay current with the continuously changing requirements, Elite Appraisal Services is continuously acquiring additional tools and tweaking processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our clients. Since Elite Appraisal Services knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed some things you can do to accelerate the process on any appraisals you order from Elite Appraisal Services.

Always order your appraisals on the Internet.: With online ordering, you automatically receive e-mail confirmations that the request was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip alone will save the most time! We don't have to retype information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether we got the order.
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 is great information to include with the request. We even welcome lists of recent sales in the area — though be advised that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.
Be sure to tell us about the property's distinct features.: Cookie-cutter houses are relatively easy to appraise. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how differing characteristics contribute to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. Let us know up front when you order your report if there are unique features of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition constructed, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's susceptible to flooding. While these are things that we'd find out on our own, knowing them early on makes your report arrive quicker.
Do the occupants know what to expect?: One of the most tedious tasks of the appraisal process is setting an inspection date with the current homeowner. Some homeowners are understandably apprehensive with the fact a stranger wants to come in their home, look around, and take abundant notes. With the idea that it will make the house appraise for more money, some homeowners believe they should make the place spotless before the inspection. And will delay the appointment until they have cleaned.

Hearing from you -- the person they are working with on their loan -- some info about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't affect their home's value one little bit, and likely shorten the appraisal inspection time. Our website has numerous pages of helpful information about the appraisal process for homeowners. Please feel free to share it with your clients. Tell them to call us if they want to familiarize themselves with the staff and our services. And tell them it's in their interest to set the appointment without delay!
Our website is a great resource for following the status of your report.: No more phone and fax tag. Up-to-the-minute status updates are available online, anytime, 24/7. As we complete each important milestone in an assignment, that information is instantly available to you online. It's never been easier to keep track of your report's status.