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5 Suggestions for Quicker Turn Times

The appraisal profession is evolving continuously. Commonly, it seems, appraisers are asked to provide more information or have steps added to their research. All of this is to ensure their client receives the best data. To stay current with the continuously changing requirements, Colliver Appraisal Service is constantly seeking additional tools and tweaking processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for faster. At Colliver Appraisal Service we know that time is important to everybody, so here are a few items you can do to decrease turn times each time you order an appraisal from Colliver Appraisal Service:

  1. Always order your appraisals on the Internet. With online ordering, you get automatic e-mail confirmations that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. It's the single biggest time saver available to both of us! No longer do we have to manually enter information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether we received the order.

  2. Complete and accurate subject property information is key. 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 helpful data to include with the request. Even a list of recent area sales is welcome — though be advised that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours might differ from yours.

    3. You're always free to call us at 859-368-0915 if you have any questions about your property or a job we're working on for you.

  3. Are you telling us up front any characteristics of the property that might make it distinct? It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter home. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how unique elements contribute 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 characteristics of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition constructed, it's subject to zoning restrictions, and it's predisposed to flooding. While these are things that we will find out on our own, knowing them as soon as possible is likely to make your report arrive quicker.

  4. What are you doing to make the homeowner of the home aware of what to expect? One of the most tedious tasks of the appraisal process is confirming an inspection date with the occupants of the home. It's understandable for a homeowner to be uncomfortable with a stranger inspecting every corner of their home, taking pictures, and making abundant notes. With the idea that it will increase the appraised value, many homeowners feel they have to make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by and will put off the appraisal inspection until it is cleaned.

    Coming from you -- a trusted party with whom they already have a business relationship -- a little bit about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't make a significant difference in their home's value, will help move the process along for everyone. Our website has lots of pages of helpful information about the appraisal process for homeowners. I encourage you to share it with your clients. Advise them to call us if they want to meet our staff and learn more about our services. And tell them it's in their interest to set the appointment soon!

  5. Why not use our website as a resource to verify your report's status? 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 is available to you online. It's never been easier to track your report's status.