Some Tips for Quicker Turn Times

Appraising is an always changing profession. Often, it seems, appraisers are asked to provide more information or have steps added to their research. All of this is to ensure the end user is presented with the best information possible. In order to stay current with the constantly changing requirements, Premier Appraisal of SoCal is always acquiring additional tools and improving processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our clients. At Premier Appraisal of SoCal we know that time is important to everybody, so we've listed some items you can do to trim turn times every time you order an appraisal with Premier Appraisal of SoCal.

Always order your appraisals on the Internet.: With online ordering, you automatically get 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 re-key information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether we got the request.
Complete and accurate subject property data is essential.: Having just one number incorrect 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 helpful information to include with your assignment. Even a list of recent sales from the area 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 features of the property that might make it distinct?: Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how characteristics unique to a property 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 elements of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition constructed, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's susceptible to flooding. While these are things that we'd find out on our own, knowing them sooner makes your report arrive sooner.
What are you doing to make the occupants of the home aware of what to expect?: One of the most time consuming steps of the appraisal process is setting an appointment with the homeowner. We understand that a homeowner may be apprehensive with an unknown person inspecting every corner of their home, taking photos, and making numerous notes. Not uncommonly they think they must make the place spotless before the inspection, thinking that will make the house appraise for more money. And will reschedule the inspection until the house is cleaned.

Hearing from you -- someone they've been working with on their loan -- a little bit 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. Our website has multiple pages of useful 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. Remind them it's in their interest to set the appointment soon!
Why not our website as a resource to follow the status of your report?: No more phone and fax tag. Up-to-the-minute status updates are 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.