A Few Suggestions for Faster Turn Times

The appraisal profession is evolving continuously. Often, it seems, appraisers are asked to supply more information or have steps added to their research. They do this additional work to ensure their client receives the best information possible. To stay current with the constantly changing requirements, ASAP Appraisal Group is constantly acquiring new tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for more effectively. Since ASAP Appraisal Group knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed a few items you can do to reduce turn times on any appraisals ordered from ASAP Appraisal Group.

Always order your appraisals on the Internet.: With online ordering, you automatically receive e-mail notifications that the order was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip alone 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 data is essential.: 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 must always 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 homes are relatively easy to appraise. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how differing details add 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 elements of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition put on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's predisposed to flooding. While these are things that we would find out on our own, knowing them as early as possible makes your report arrive sooner.
Did you make the homeowner of the home aware of what to expect?: Setting an inspection time and date with the homeowner can be one of the most tedious tasks in the appraisal process. We understand that a homeowner may be uneasy with a stranger looking in every corner of their home, taking photos, and making copious notes. Under the impression that it will increase the value, many homeowners think they need to make the place spotless before the inspection. And will choose to not schedule the appraisal inspection until they can get around to cleaning.

Coming directly from you -- a person they've been working with on their loan -- a little information about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't increase their home's value one little bit, and likely shorten the appraisal inspection time. Our website has several pages of relevant information about the appraisal process for homeowners. Please feel free to share it with your clients. Have them 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!
Are you using our website as a resource to keep tabs on your report's status?: Phone and fax tag are a thing of the past with up-to-the-minute status updates available online, anytime, 24/7. As we complete each important milestone in an assignment, that information can be viewed instantly online. It's never been faster and easier to keep track of the status of your report.