Some Steps to Shorter Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. On a regular basis, it seems, appraisers are asked to include extra information or have steps added to their data gathering. All of this is to guarantee their client gets the best data to be had. To stay current with the always changing requirements, Willamette Valley Appraisal Professionals is constantly acquiring additional tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. Since Willamette Valley Appraisal Professionals knows that time is important to everyone, here are some items you can do to decrease turn times when you order an appraisal from Willamette Valley Appraisal Professionals.

Are you ordering appraisals online?: With online ordering, you get automatic e-mail notifications that the assignment 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 got the request.
Are you providing complete and accurate information about the subject property?: Having just one number incorrect on the street address can really unnecessarily interrupt an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name is helpful information to include with your request. Even a list of recent area sales is welcome — though be advised that professional appraisers are lawfully required to do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours might differ from yours.
Be sure to let us know about the unique features of this property.: It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter house. What takes time is analyzing how features unique to a property 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 built on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's predisposed to flooding. These are things we'd find out on our own anyway, and knowing them as soon as possible makes your report arrive sooner.
Set proper expectations with the homeowner.: One of the most time consuming steps of the appraisal process is confirming an appointment with the current homeowner. Some homeowners are clearly apprehensive with the notion a stranger wants to come in their house, look around, and take lots of notes. Having the thought that it will increase the value, a few homeowners believe they have to make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by. So they delay the appointment until it is cleaned.

Hearing it directly from you -- someone they've been working with on their loan -- a little info about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't make it more likely their sale will close, and likely shorten the appraisal inspection time. Our website has lots of pages of relevant information about the appraisal process for homeowners. Please feel free to share it with your customers. Have them call us if they want to become familiar with our staff and services. Remind them it's in their interest to set the appointment without delay!
Why not our website as a resource to verify 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 available instantly to you online. It's never been easier to keep track of the status of your report.