Some Steps to Shorter Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. Often, it seems, appraisers are asked to offer more information or have steps added to their research. All of this is to guarantee the end user receives the best data to be had. In order to stay current with the constantly changing requirements, RWA Appraisals is always testing additional tools and tweaking processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for faster. Since RWA Appraisals knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed a few tips you can do to lower turn times each time you order an appraisal with RWA Appraisals.

Are you ordering appraisals online?: With online ordering, you automatically receive e-mail acknowledgements that the request was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip alone will save the most time! No longer do we have to re-key information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether we got the order.
Are you providing complete and accurate data about the subject property?: Having just one number incorrect 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. Even a list of recent sales from the area is welcome — 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 details.: Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how elements unique to a property 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 characteristics of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition built on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's predisposed to flooding. While these are things that we'd find out on our own, knowing them early on is likely to make your report arrive without delay.
What are you doing to make the occupants of the home aware of what to expect?: Confirming an appointment with the homeowner can be one of the most tedious tasks in the appraisal process. We understand that a homeowner may be apprehensive with a stranger inspecting every corner of their home, taking pictures, and making numerous notes. One common belief is that they have to make the place spotless before the inspection, under the impression that will increase the value. And will reschedule the inspection until it is cleaned.

Hearing from you -- someone they are 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 can shorten the time it takes to inspect a home. I encourage you to point your customers to our website, where we have several pages of relevant information for homeowners as well as others about the appraisal process. They can even call us if they want to familiarize themselves with our staff and services. And tell them it benefits them to set the appointment without delay!
Our website is a great resource for tracking 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 instantly available to you online. It's never been easier to track the status of your report.