5 Tips for Swifter Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. Regularly, it seems, appraisers are asked to provide extra information or have steps added to their research. All of this is to ensure the end user gets the best data to be had. To keep up with the always changing requirements, Central Alabama Appraisal is constantly seeking new tools and improving processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. Since Central Alabama Appraisal knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed a few items you can do to accelerate the process whenever you order an appraisal from Central Alabama Appraisal.

Are you ordering appraisals online?: When you order online, you get automatic e-mail notifications that the order was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. Online ordering 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 the order was received.
Are you providing complete and accurate data about the subject property?: 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. 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 differ from yours.
Tell us up front of the property's distinct features.: Cookie-cutter houses are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how details unique to a property 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 prone to flooding. While these are things that we would find out on our own, knowing them sooner is likely to make your report arrive without delay.
Do the occupants know what to expect?: One of the most inefficient tasks of the appraisal process is setting an inspection date with the homeowner. We understand that a homeowner may be uncomfortable with an unknown person inspecting every corner of their home, taking pictures, and making abundant notes. One common belief is that they must make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by, having the thought that will increase the value. And will reschedule the appraisal inspection until they have cleaned.

Coming directly from you -- a person they've been working with on their loan -- a little info 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 time it takes to inspect a home. Our website has several pages of helpful information about the appraisal process for homeowners. I encourage you to share it with your customers. Tell them to call us if they want to meet the staff and learn more about our services. Remind them it benefits them to set the appointment as soon as possible!
Use our website 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. There's no faster or easier way to keep track of the status of your report.