5 Hints for Swifter Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. On a regular basis, it seems, appraisers are asked to include more information or have steps added to their process. All to guarantee the end user gets the best data possible. In order to keep up with the continuously changing requirements, Peterson Appraisal Group is constantly testing additional tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our customers. At Peterson Appraisal Group we know that time is important to everybody, so we've listed some items you can do to speed up the process every time you order an appraisal with Peterson Appraisal Group.

Always order your appraisals online.: When you order online, you receive automatic e-mail notifications that the assignment 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 we received the request.
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 area sales is welcome — though be advised that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.
Let us know up front of the property's unique elements.: Cookie-cutter houses are relatively easy to appraise. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how differing elements 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. While these are things that we'll find out on our own, knowing them as soon as possible makes your report arrive earlier.
Are you making the occupants of the home aware of what to expect?: Confirming an appointment with the homeowner can be one of the most inefficient parts in the appraisal process. Many homeowners are justifiably uneasy with the notion an outsider wants to come in their home, look around, and take numerous notes. With the belief that it will make the house appraise for more money, some homeowners believe they ought to make the place spotless before the appraisal inspection. So they delay the appraisal inspection until the house is cleaned.

Hearing from you -- a person they are working with on their loan -- some info about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't affect their home's value one little bit, and likely shorten the appraisal inspection time. Our website has multiple pages of useful information about the appraisal process for homeowners. Please feel free to share it with your customers. They can even 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 quickly as possible!
Our website is a great resource for following your report's status.: 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 each important milestone in an assignment is completed, that information is instantly available to you online. It's never been easier to keep track of your report's status.