A Few Hints for Faster Turn Times

Appraising is an always changing profession. On a regular basis, it seems, appraisers are asked to include additional information or have steps added to their data gathering. All to guarantee the end user has the best information available. In order to stay current with the constantly changing requirements, Angela Montoya Appraisal is always seeking new tools and tweaking processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our clients. At Angela Montoya Appraisal we know that time is important to everybody, so here are a few things you can do to lessen turn times when you order an appraisal from Angela Montoya Appraisal.

Order your appraisals online.: With online ordering, you receive automatic e-mail acknowledgements that the request 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 you don't have to wonder whether we received the order.
Make sure that the subject property data is accurate and complete.: Being just one number off on the street address can really unnecessarily interrupt 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 be different from yours.
Are you letting us know up front any elements 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 differing details contribute 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 had a recent addition constructed, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's predisposed to flooding. While these are things that we will find out on our own, knowing them early on makes your report arrive sooner.
Be sure the occupants know the the plan.: One of the most inefficient tasks of the appraisal process is setting an appointment with the current homeowner. Many homeowners are understandably uncomfortable with the idea an outsider wants to come in their house, look around, and make numerous notes. Not uncommonly they think they have to make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by, under the impression that will increase the value. And will choose to not schedule the inspection until it is cleaned.

Hearing it 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 can shorten the time it takes to inspect a home. Our website has lots of pages of useful information about the appraisal process for homeowners. I encourage you to share it with your customers. Have them call us if they want to meet the staff and learn more about our services. Remind them it's to their benefit to set the appointment as soon as possible!
Why not our website as a resource to keep tabs on the status of your report?: 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 is available to you online. It's never been easier and faster to keep track of your report's status.