Some Hints for Swifter Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. On a regular basis, it seems, appraisers are asked to include extra information or have steps added to their process. All of this is to ensure their client is presented with the best data possible. In order to stay current with the constantly changing requirements, Absolute Appraisals is continuously testing new tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. At Absolute Appraisals we know that time is important to everybody, so here are a handful of things you can do to trim turn times every time you order an appraisal with Absolute Appraisals.

Are you ordering appraisals online?: With online ordering, you automatically receive e-mail acknowledgements that the order 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 manually enter information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether the order was received.
Complete and accurate subject property data is crucial.: There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to add unnecessary time to 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 sales in 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.
Are you telling us up front any details of the property that might make it distinct?: Cookie-cutter houses are relatively easy to appraise. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how details unique to a property 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 had a recent addition put on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's predisposed 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 earlier.
Does the homeowner know what to expect?: Confirming an appointment with the homeowner can be one of the most time consuming parts in the appraisal process. It's understandable for a homeowner to be apprehensive with an outsider inspecting every corner of their home, taking photos, and making lots of notes. With the idea that it will make the house appraise for more money, many homeowners feel they need to make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by. And will reschedule the appointment until they can get around to cleaning.

Hearing it directly from you -- a person they've been working with on their loan -- a little knowledge 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 appraisal inspection time. Please feel free to point them to this website, where we have several pages of relevant information for homeowners as well as others regarding the appraisal process. Have them call us if they want to become familiar with our staff and services. And tell them it's to their advantage to set the appointment quickly!
Use our website to verify 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. It's never been easier to track the status of your report.