A Few Tips for Swifter Turn Times

The appraisal profession is constantly evolving. Commonly, it seems, appraisers are asked to present additional information or have steps added to their process. They do this extra work to ensure their client gets the most useful analysis. In order to keep up with the always changing requirements, GOLDEN APPRAISALS, LLC is constantly seeking new tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. At GOLDEN APPRAISALS, LLC we know that time is important to everybody, so we've listed some things you can do to decrease turn times when you order an appraisal with GOLDEN APPRAISALS, LLC:

  1. Order your appraisals online. When you order online, you automatically get e-mail acknowledgements that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip alone will save the most time! We don't have to re-key information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether the order was received.

  2. Confirm that the subject property data is accurate and complete. 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 great information to pass along with the request. We even welcome lists of recent sales in the area — though be advised that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.

    3. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about your property or a job we're working on for you.

  3. Tell us up front of the property's distinct elements. It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter house. What takes time is analyzing how differing elements add to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. Let us know up front when ordering your report if there are unique details of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition built on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, and it's prone to flooding. While these are things that we'd find out on our own, knowing them as early as possible will likely make your report arrive faster.

  4. Let the homeowner know what to expect. Confirming an appointment with the homeowner can be one of the most inefficient tasks in the appraisal process. Many current homeowners are clearly uneasy with the idea that an outsider wants to come in their home, look around, and take copious notes. Some think they ought to make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by, believing that will increase the appraised value . So they delay the appointment until they can get around to cleaning.

    Coming from you -- a trusted party with whom they already have a business relationship -- a little info about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't affect their home's value one bit, will help move the process along for everyone. Our website has several pages of helpful information about the appraisal process for homeowners. Please feel free to share it with your clients. Have them call us if they want to become familiar with the staff and our services. Remind them it's in their interest to set the appointment quickly!

  5. Use our website to follow 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 is available instantly to you online. It's never been easier to track your report's status.