Some Steps to Quicker Turn Times

The appraisal profession is always evolving. Commonly, it seems, appraisers are asked to offer more information or have steps added to their data gathering. All of this is to ensure their client gets the best data possible. In order to stay current with the always changing requirements, Elite Appraisal Services is constantly testing additional tools and tweaking processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. Since Elite Appraisal Services knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed some tips you can do to hasten the process when you order an appraisal from Elite Appraisal Services.

Order your appraisals electronically.: By ordering online, you get automatic e-mail acknowledgements that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. Ordering online is the single biggest time saver available to both of us! No longer do we have to re-key information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether we received the order.
Make sure that the subject property data is accurate and complete.: Having just one number incorrect on the street address can really 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 your request. We even welcome lists of recent sales from the area — though be advised 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 features of the property that might make it unique?: Cookie-cutter houses are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how elements unique to a property add 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 characteristics of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition built on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's predisposed to flooding. These are things we will find out on our own anyway, and knowing them as soon as possible makes your report arrive earlier.
Does the homeowner know what to expect?: One of the most inefficient steps of the appraisal process is setting an appointment with the homeowner. It's understandable for a homeowner to be apprehensive with an outsider inspecting every corner of their home, taking pictures, and making abundant notes. Having the thought that it will make the house appraise for more money, some homeowners believe they have to make the place spotless before the inspection. So they delay the appraisal inspection until they have cleaned.

Coming from you -- someone they've been working with on their loan -- a little bit 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. I encourage you to point them to our website, where we have several pages of useful information for homeowners as well as others regarding the appraisal process. Tell them to call us if they want to meet our staff and learn more about our services. Remind them it benefits them to set the appointment quickly!
Easily verify the status of your report on our website.: No more phone and fax tag. Up-to-the-minute status updates are available online, anytime, 24/7. As each important milestone in an assignment is completed, that information can be viewed instantly online. There's no easier way to keep track of your report's status.