Five Suggestions for Shorter Turn Times

Appraising is an always changing profession. Often, it seems, appraisers are asked to provide extra information or have steps added to their data gathering. They do this extra work to guarantee their client receives the best data to be had. To stay current with the constantly changing requirements, Central Alabama Appraisal is constantly seeking new tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our clients. Since Central Alabama Appraisal knows that time is important to everyone, below are some tips you can do to lessen turn times when you order an appraisal from Central Alabama Appraisal.

Always order your appraisals electronically.: When you order online, you get automatic e-mail acknowledgements that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip single-handedly will save the most time! We don't have to retype information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether we got the request.
Verify that the subject property data is accurate and complete.: Being just one number off on the street address can really 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. We even welcome lists of recent sales from the area — though be advised that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may be different from yours.
Be sure to tell us about the property's distinct elements.: It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter house. What takes time is analyzing how differing characteristics 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 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 predisposed to flooding. These are things we'll find out on our own anyway, and knowing them as soon as possible makes your report arrive faster.
Be sure the homeowner knows the the plan.: Confirming an appointment with the homeowner can be one of the most inefficient parts in the appraisal process. We understand that a homeowner may be apprehensive with a stranger looking in every square foot of their home, taking photos, and making copious notes. With the belief that it will increase the appraised value, some homeowners feel they ought to make the place spotless before the appraisal inspection. So they reschedule the inspection until they can get around to cleaning.

Hearing from you -- someone they have been 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 shorten the appraisal inspection time. Our website has numerous pages of relevant information about the appraisal process for homeowners. Please feel free to share it with your customers. Have them call us if they want to meet the staff and learn more about our services. And tell them it's to their advantage to set the appointment soon!
Easily follow 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 available instantly to you online. There's no faster way to keep track of the status of your report.