Five Steps to Shorter Turn Times

The appraisal profession is evolving constantly. On a regular basis, it seems, appraisers are asked to supply extra information or have steps added to their data gathering - all to ensure their client receives the best analysis that can be achieved. To stay current with the constantly changing requirements, Anderson & Associates is always testing new tools and improving processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for faster. At Anderson & Associates we know that time is important to everybody, so we've listed a few things you can do to speed up the process on any appraisals ordered from Anderson & Associates:

Are you ordering appraisals online? By ordering 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 re-key information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether the order was received.
Verify that the subject property information is accurate and complete. Being just one number off on the street address can really unnecessarily slow down an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name are helpful data to pass along with the assignment. We even welcome lists of recent sales from the area — however, remember that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.


	If you have any questions about your property or a job we're working on for you, you're always welcome to call us at 360-909-9139

Be sure to let us know about the property's unique elements. It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter home. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how differing details 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 characteristics of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition constructed, it's subject to zoning restrictions, and it's susceptible to flooding. These are things we'll find out on our own anyway, and knowing them as early as possible is likely to make your report arrive without delay.
Be sure the homeowner knows the plan. Setting an inspection time and date with the homeowner can be one of the most tedious steps in the appraisal process. Many current homeowners are clearly apprehensive with the idea that an outsider wants to come in their house, look around, and make numerous notes. Under the belief that it will make the house appraise for more money, many homeowners feel they need to make the place spotless before the inspection and will put off the appointment until they can get around to cleaning.

Coming 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 change their home's value one bit, will help move the process along for everyone. Our website has numerous pages of relevant information about the appraisal process for homeowners. Please feel free to share it with your clients. Encourage them to call us if they want to familiarize themselves with our staff and services. And tell them it benefits them to set the appointment quickly!
Our website is a great resource for tracking your report's status. Phone and fax tag are a thing of the past with 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 keep track of the status of your report.