A Few Tips for Quicker Turn Times

The appraisal profession is continuously evolving. Commonly, it seems, appraisers are asked to offer more information or have steps added to their appraisal process. All to ensure their client has the best information to be had. In order to keep up with the continuously changing requirements, Acupraise is continuously testing additional tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for quickly. At Acupraise we know that time is important to everybody, so below are a couple of tips you can do to hasten the process on any appraisals you order from Acupraise.

Order your appraisals electronically.: When you order online, you automatically receive e-mail notifications that the request was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip alone will save the most time! No longer do we have to manually enter 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?: 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 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 distinct details.: Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how details unique to a property 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 constructed, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's susceptible to flooding. While these are things that we'll find out on our own, knowing them early on is likely to make your report arrive more quickly.
Set proper expectations with the occupants.: One of the most inefficient tasks of the appraisal process is confirming an appointment with the occupants of the home. Many homeowners are justifiably uncomfortable with the fact a stranger wants to come in their house, look around, and take lots of notes. With the idea that it will increase the value, a few homeowners feel they have to make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by. And will choose to not schedule the appraisal inspection until it is cleaned.

Coming from you -- someone 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 affect their home's value one little bit, and can decrease the time it takes to inspect a home. Our website has numerous pages of helpful information about the appraisal process for homeowners. Please feel free to share it with your clients. Have them call us if they want to familiarize themselves with the staff and our services. And tell them it benefits them to set the appointment quickly!
Easily track the status of your report on our website.: 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 the status of your report.