Five Tips for Faster Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. Regularly, it seems, appraisers are asked to supply extra information or have steps added to their research. All to ensure their client has the best data possible. In order to keep up with the always changing requirements, Premier Appraisal of SoCal is always testing new tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our customers. At Premier Appraisal of SoCal we know that time is important to everybody, so below are a couple of things you can do to speed up the process on any appraisals ordered with Premier Appraisal of SoCal.

Always order your appraisals electronically.: When you order online, you receive automatic e-mail confirmations that the order was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip single-handedly will save the most time! We don't 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. 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 telling us up front any characteristics of the property that might make it unique?: It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter home. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how differing features 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 features of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition put on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's predisposed to flooding. These are things we'd find out on our own anyway, and knowing them sooner makes your report arrive without delay.
Set proper expectations with the homeowner.: One of the most time consuming steps of the appraisal process is setting an inspection date with the occupants of the home. Many homeowners are justifiably uncomfortable with the fact an outsider wants to come in their house, look around, and take numerous notes. Some think they ought to make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by, with the idea that will increase the value. So they delay the appraisal inspection until the house is cleaned.

Hearing from you -- someone they have been working with on their loan -- a little information about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't change their home's value one little bit, and likely shorten the appraisal inspection time. Please feel free to point them to our website, where we have multiple pages of helpful information for homeowners as well as others about the appraisal process. They can even call us if they want to become familiar with our staff and services. Remind them it benefits them to set the appointment promptly!
Easily verify the status of your report on our website.: Phone and fax tag are a thing of the past with up-to-the-minute status updates available online, anytime, 24/7. As each important milestone in an assignment is completed, that information can be viewed instantly online. It's never been faster and easier to keep track of your report's status.