Some Suggestions for Faster Turn Times

Appraising is an always changing profession. Commonly, it seems, appraisers are asked to offer additional information or have steps added to their data gathering. All to guarantee their client gets the best information possible. In order to keep up with the continuously changing requirements, Schuster Appraisals is always researching new tools and tweaking processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our clients. Since Schuster Appraisals knows that time is important to everyone, below are a couple of tips you can do to trim turn times every time you order an appraisal with Schuster Appraisals.

Order your appraisals electronically.: By ordering online, you automatically get e-mail acknowledgements that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. Online ordering is the single biggest time saver available to both of us!
Are you providing complete and accurate information about the subject property?: 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 pass long with your request. We even welcome lists of recent sales from the area — remember, however, that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours might differ from yours.
Be sure to tell us about the property's distinct elements.: It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter home. What takes time is analyzing how unique details add to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. Let us know up front when ordering your report if there are unique details 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. These are things we would find out on our own anyway, and knowing them as soon as possible is likely to make your report arrive earlier.
Be sure the homeowner knows the the plan.: One of the most tedious parts of the appraisal process is setting an inspection date with the homeowner. Many current homeowners are clearly apprehensive with the thought a stranger wants to come in their home, look around, and take copious notes. With the belief that it will increase the value, a few homeowners feel they must make the place spotless before the inspection. So they choose to not schedule the appointment until the house is cleaned.

Coming directly from you -- a person they are working with on their loan -- a short explanation 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 go a long way toward trimming the time it takes to inspect a home. Our website has several pages of useful information about the appraisal process for homeowners. I encourage you to share it with your clients. Have them call us if they want to meet our staff and learn more about our services. Remind them it's to their benefit to set the appointment soon!
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 available instantly to you online. It's never been easier to track the status of your report.