A Few Hints for Shorter Turn Times

The appraisal profession is constantly evolving. Regularly, it seems, appraisers are asked to supply more information or have steps added to their appraisal process. All to guarantee the end user has the best information possible. To stay current with the constantly changing requirements, Premier Appraisal of SoCal is continuously testing additional tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. Since Premier Appraisal of SoCal knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed some things you can do to reduce turn times whenever you order an appraisal with Premier Appraisal of SoCal.

Are you ordering appraisals online?: With online ordering, you receive automatic e-mail confirmations that the order was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip single-handedly will save the most time! We don't have to re-key information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether we got the request.
Are you providing complete and accurate data about the subject property?: Being just one number off 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 are good data to pass long with your assignment. We even welcome lists of recent sales in the area — remember, however, that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may be different from yours.
Be sure to let us know about the property's distinct elements.: It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter house. What takes time is analyzing how differing details add to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. When ordering your report, let us know if there are unique details of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition put on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's susceptible to flooding. These are things we would find out on our own anyway, and knowing them sooner makes your report arrive sooner.
Set proper expectations with the homeowner.: One of the most inefficient steps of the appraisal process is confirming an inspection date with the current homeowner. Some homeowners are clearly uneasy with the fact an outsider wants to come in their home, look around, and make copious notes. Believing that it will make the house appraise higher, a few homeowners believe they ought to make the place spotless before the inspection. And will reschedule the appointment until it is cleaned.

Coming directly from you -- a person they are working with on their loan -- some knowledge about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't make it more likely their sale will close, and likely shorten the appraisal inspection time. I encourage you to point your customers to our website, where we have many pages of relevant information for homeowners as well as others regarding the appraisal process. Tell them to call us if they want to become familiar with the staff and our services. And tell them it benefits them to set the appointment quickly!
Easily keep tabs on the status of your report on our website.: 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 is instantly available to you online. It's never been faster to track your report's status.