Some Suggestions for Shorter Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. Commonly, it seems, appraisers are asked to offer additional information or have steps added to their data gathering - all to ensure the end user receives the best information that can be achieved. To keep up with the continuously changing requirements, Anderson & Associates is always researching additional tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. Since Anderson & Associates knows that time is important to everyone, here are some things you can do to accelerate the process each time you order an appraisal from Anderson & Associates:

Are you ordering appraisals online? When you order online, you automatically receive e-mail notifications that the request was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. It's the single biggest time saver available to both of us! We don't have to retype information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether we got the order.
Are you providing complete and accurate information about the subject property? Being just one number off on the street address can really unnecessarily delay an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name is helpful information to pass along with your request. Even a list of recent area sales is welcome — however, remember that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours might differ from yours.


	You're always free to call us at 360-909-9139 if you have any questions about your property or an assignment we're working on for you.

Let us know up front of the property's unique characteristics. Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how unique details contribute to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. When ordering your report, let us know if there are unique details of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition put on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, and it's prone to flooding. These are things we'd find out on our own anyway, and knowing them early on makes your report arrive sooner.
Did you make the occupants of the home aware of what to expect? Setting an appointment with the homeowner can be one of the most tedious steps in the appraisal process. We understand that a homeowner may be apprehensive with a stranger inspecting every square foot of their home, taking photos, and making abundant notes. One common belief is that they must make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by, with the notion that will increase the appraised value and will put off the appraisal inspection until the house is cleaned.

Hearing it directly from you -- a trusted party with whom they already have a business relationship -- a short explanation about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't make a significant difference in their home's value, will help move the process along for everyone. Our website has numerous pages of helpful information about the appraisal process for homeowners. I encourage you to share it with your clients. Have them call us if they want to meet our staff and learn more about our services. And tell them it benefits them to set the appointment soon!
Easily verify the status of your report on our website. Phone and fax tag are a thing of the past with 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 faster or easier way to track your report's status.