A Few Hints for Shorter Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. Each year, it seems, appraisers are asked to offer extra information or have steps added to their data gathering. They do this extra work to ensure their client is presented with the best information to be had. To keep up with the continuously changing requirements, Young Real Estate Appraisals is continuously researching new tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. Since Young Real Estate Appraisals knows that time is important to everyone, below are a few things you can do to lessen turn times whenever you order an appraisal from Young Real Estate Appraisals.

Are you ordering appraisals online?: With online ordering, you receive automatic e-mail notifications that the order 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 order.
Verify that the subject property information is accurate and complete.: 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 is good information to include with your assignment. 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 may differ from yours.
Are you telling us up front any characteristics of the property that might make it distinct?: Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how differing elements contribute to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. Let us know up front when you order your report if there are unique elements of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition put on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's susceptible to flooding. These are things we'll find out on our own anyway, and knowing them as soon as possible is likely to make your report arrive sooner.
Be sure the homeowner knows the the plan.: One of the most tedious parts of the appraisal process is confirming an inspection date with the current homeowner. Some homeowners are understandably uncomfortable with the thought an outsider wants to come in their home, look around, and take numerous notes. One common belief is that they have to make the place spotless before the inspection, with the belief that will increase the appraised value. And will put off the appraisal inspection until they have cleaned.

Hearing it directly from you -- someone they have been working with on their loan -- a little 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 likely decrease the time it takes to inspect a home. Please feel free to point your customers to our website, where we have several pages of useful information for homeowners and others describing the appraisal process. Have them call us if they want to become familiar with our staff and services. And tell them it benefits them to set the appointment promptly!
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 can be viewed instantly online. There's no easier way to track the status of your report.