Some Suggestions for Quicker Turn Times

The appraisal profession is evolving at all times. On a regular basis, it seems, appraisers are asked to present extra information or have steps added to their appraisal process. They do this additional work to ensure the end user receives the best information possible. In order to keep up with the constantly changing requirements, RWA Appraisals is constantly seeking additional tools and tweaking processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for faster. At RWA Appraisals we know that time is important to everybody, so we've listed some items you can do to hasten the process on any appraisals ordered from RWA Appraisals.

Order your appraisals electronically.: By ordering online, you get automatic 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 manually enter information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether we received the order.
Make sure that the subject property information is accurate and complete.: There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to add unnecessary time to an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name is great information to include with the assignment. We even welcome lists of recent sales from the area — though be advised that professional appraisers are lawfully required to do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.
Let us know up front of the property's unique characteristics.: 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. When you order your report, 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. While these are things that we'd find out on our own, knowing them as early as possible makes your report arrive faster.
Let the occupants know what to expect.: One of the most inefficient parts of the appraisal process is setting an appointment with the occupants of the home. We understand that a homeowner may be apprehensive with an outsider inspecting every square foot of their home, taking photos, and making lots of notes. Some think they have to make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by, with the notion that will increase the value. So they delay the appraisal inspection until it is cleaned.

Coming directly from you -- a person 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 can go a long way toward trimming the time it takes to inspect a home. Our website has many pages of helpful information about the appraisal process for homeowners. Please feel free to share it with your customers. Have them call us if they want to familiarize themselves with our staff and services. And tell them it's in their interest to set the appointment as soon as possible!
Are you using our website as a resource to keep track of the status of your report?: 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 we complete each important milestone in an assignment, that information can be viewed instantly online. It's never been easier to keep track of your report's status.