Some Hints for Faster Turn Times

Appraising is an always changing profession. Every year, it seems, appraisers are asked to present more information or have steps added to their research. All of this is to guarantee the end user receives the best information to be had. To stay current with the always changing requirements, Peterson Appraisal Group is always researching new tools and tweaking processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for more effectively. At Peterson Appraisal Group we know that time is important to everybody, so here are a few tips you can do to speed up the process on any appraisals you order from Peterson Appraisal Group.

Always order your appraisals online.: By ordering online, you receive automatic e-mail acknowledgements 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! We don't have to re-key information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether we received the order.
Are you providing complete and accurate information about the subject property?: There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to 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 your request. Even a list of recent area sales is welcome — remember, however, 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 details.: It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter house. What takes time is analyzing how differing features 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 recently had an addition built on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's susceptible to flooding. These are things we would find out on our own anyway, and knowing them as soon as possible makes your report arrive earlier.
Does the homeowner know what to expect?: Confirming an appointment with the homeowner can be one of the most time consuming tasks in the appraisal process. Many current homeowners are understandably uncomfortable with the thought a stranger wants to come in their house, look around, and make copious notes. Many commonly think they ought to make the place spotless before the inspection, with the belief that will increase the value. And will choose to not schedule the appointment until the house is cleaned.

Coming directly from you -- a person they've been working with on their loan -- some 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 decrease the appraisal inspection time. I encourage you to point your customers to our website, where we have many pages of useful information for homeowners as well as others about the appraisal process. Tell them to call us if they want to become familiar with our staff and services. And tell them it benefits them to set the appointment promptly!
Why not our website as a resource to keep track of 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 can be viewed instantly online. It's never been easier to track your report's status.