A Few Hints for Faster Turn Times

The appraisal profession is evolving continuously. Each year, it seems, appraisers are asked to supply more information or have steps added to their research. All of this is to guarantee their client is presented with the best data possible. In order to keep up with the constantly changing requirements, Flagship Appraisal is always testing additional tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our customers. At Flagship Appraisal we know that time is important to everybody, so we've listed a few tips you can do to trim turn times on any appraisals you order with Flagship Appraisal.

Are you ordering appraisals online?: When you order online, you automatically receive e-mail acknowledgements that the request 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 retype information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether the order was received.
Confirm that the subject property data is accurate and complete.: There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to unnecessarily interrupt 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. We even welcome lists of recent sales in the area — though be advised that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.
Be sure to tell us about the property's distinct details.: It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter home. What takes time is analyzing how unique 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 details of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition constructed, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's prone to flooding. While these are things that we would find out on our own, knowing them sooner makes your report arrive faster.
Do the occupants know what to expect?: Setting an inspection time and date with the homeowner can be one of the most time consuming tasks in the appraisal process. It's understandable for a homeowner to be apprehensive with an outsider inspecting every corner of their home, taking pictures, and making numerous notes. Many commonly think they should make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by, believing that will increase the value. So they choose to not schedule the inspection until they have cleaned.

Coming from you -- a person they've been working with on their loan -- some knowledge 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 decrease the time it takes to inspect a home. Our website has lots of pages of useful information about the appraisal process for homeowners. Please feel free to share it with your clients. They can even call us if they want to meet our staff and learn more about our services. Remind them it's to their benefit to set the appointment promptly!
Easily track the status of your report on our website.: No more phone and fax tag. Up-to-the-minute status updates are 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 faster and easier to track the status of your report.