5 Steps to Quicker Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. Often, it seems, appraisers are asked to include extra information or have steps added to their appraisal process. All to ensure the end user gets the best information to be had. To stay current with the always changing requirements, Central Alabama Appraisal is always researching new tools and improving processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our clients. At Central Alabama Appraisal we know that time is important to everybody, so we've listed a couple of tips you can do to accelerate the process every time you order an appraisal from Central Alabama Appraisal.

Always order your appraisals electronically.: When you order online, you automatically get e-mail acknowledgements that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip alone will save the most time! We don't have to retype information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether we received the order.
Verify that the subject property information is accurate and complete.: Having just one number incorrect on the street address can really unnecessarily slow down an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name is great information to pass long with the assignment. Even a list of recent sales from the area is welcome — though be advised that professional appraisers are lawfully required to do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may be different from yours.
Be sure to tell us about the property's unique features.: Cookie-cutter houses are relatively easy to appraise. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how unique features add to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. When you order your report, let us know if there are unique characteristics 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'll find out on our own, knowing them sooner is likely to make your report arrive sooner.
Be sure the homeowner knows the the plan.: Confirming an appointment with the homeowner can be one of the most inefficient tasks in the appraisal process. It's understandable for a homeowner to be apprehensive with an outsider looking in every square foot of their home, taking photos, and making abundant notes. Not uncommonly they think they should make the place spotless before the appraisal inspection, believing that will make the house appraise higher. And will choose to not schedule the inspection until it is cleaned.

Hearing from you -- a person they have been working with on their loan -- a little 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 likely decrease the appraisal inspection time. I encourage you to point them to this website, where we have lots of pages of useful information for homeowners and others regarding the appraisal process. They can even call us if they want to meet our staff and learn more about our services. And tell them it benefits them to set the appointment soon!
Use our website to keep tabs on 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 instantly to you online. It's never been easier to keep track of your report's status.