5 Hints for Swifter Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. Regularly, it seems, appraisers are asked to offer additional information or have steps added to their research. All to guarantee their client is presented with the best data to be had. In order to stay current with the continuously changing requirements, Maven Appraisal Services is continuously seeking new tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. At Maven Appraisal Services we know that time is important to everybody, so we've listed a couple of items you can do to lessen turn times each time you order an appraisal with Maven Appraisal Services.

Are you ordering appraisals online?: By ordering online, you automatically get e-mail acknowledgements that the order was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip single-handedly will save the most time! No longer do we have to re-key information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether we received the request.
Are you providing complete and accurate information about the subject property?: Being just one number off on the street address can really add unnecessary time to an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name are helpful data to pass long with the request. We even welcome lists of recent sales from the area — remember, however, that professional appraisers are lawfully required to do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.
Are you telling us up front any details of the property that might make it unique?: It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter house. What takes time is analyzing how unique elements 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 elements of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition built on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's susceptible to flooding. These are things we'd find out on our own anyway, and knowing them early on is likely to make your report arrive sooner.
Are you making the homeowner of the home aware of what to expect?: One of the most tedious steps of the appraisal process is confirming an appointment with the homeowner. It's understandable for a homeowner to be uncomfortable with an outsider looking in every square foot of their home, taking photos, and making numerous notes. A common belief is that they should make the place spotless before the appraisal inspection, thinking that will increase the value. And will put off the appointment until the house is cleaned.

Coming directly from you -- the person they are working with on their loan -- some knowledge about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't increase their home's value one little bit, and can decrease the appraisal inspection time. Please feel free to point your clients to our website, where we have lots of pages of relevant information for homeowners and others regarding the appraisal process. Tell them to call us if they want to become familiar with the staff and our services. And tell them it benefits them to set the appointment without delay!
Our website is a great resource for verifying 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 we complete each important milestone in an assignment, that information is available to you online. It's never been easier and faster to track the status of your report.