Five Tips for Quicker Turn Times

Appraising is an always changing profession. Every year, it seems, appraisers are asked to offer extra information or have steps added to their research. All of this is to ensure their client gets the best data that can be achieved. To keep up with the continuously changing requirements, Ingram Appraisals is always researching new tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. Since Ingram Appraisals knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed some tips you can do to reduce turn times on any appraisals you order from Ingram Appraisals:

Always order your appraisals electronically. When you order online, you automatically get e-mail notifications that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. Ordering online is the single biggest time saver available to both of us! No longer do we have to re-key information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether we received the order.
Confirm that the subject property data is accurate and complete. Being just one number off on the street address can really add unnecessary time to an appraisal assignment. And if you have a tax parcel number, plat map number, subdivision name or anything else that uniquely identifies the property, please pass it along. Even a list of recent area sales is welcome — though be advised 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 an assignment we're working on for you, feel free to contact us
Be sure to tell us about the property's distinct features. Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how unique features add 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 recently had an addition constructed, it's subject to zoning restrictions, and it's susceptible to flooding. These are things we'd find out on our own anyway, and knowing them sooner will likely make your report arrive without delay.
Be sure the occupants know the plan. One of the most time consuming tasks of the appraisal process is setting an appointment with the current homeowner. We understand that a homeowner may be uncomfortable with an outsider looking in every square foot of their home, taking pictures, and making abundant notes. With the belief that it will increase the value, many homeowners believe they must make the place spotless before the inspection and will put off the inspection until it is cleaned.

Hearing it directly from you -- a trusted party with whom they are already working -- 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 several pages of useful information about the appraisal process for homeowners. Please feel free to share it with your customers. Advise them to call us if they want to familiarize themselves with the staff and our services. And tell them it's to their advantage to set the appointment soon!
Our website is a great resource for keeping tabs on the status of your report. 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 track the status of your report.