A Few Hints for Faster Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. On a regular basis, it seems, appraisers are asked to provide more information or have steps added to their process. All to guarantee their client receives the best data possible. In order to stay current with the always changing requirements, Edge Appraisal Services is constantly testing additional tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our customers. Since Edge Appraisal Services knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed a handful of items you can do to lessen turn times on any appraisals ordered with Edge Appraisal Services.

Always order your appraisals on the Internet.: By ordering online, you automatically receive e-mail confirmations 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 nor will you wonder whether the order was received.
Confirm that the subject property information is accurate and complete.: There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to unnecessarily slow down 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 sales in the area is welcome — remember, however, that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.
Let us know up front of the property's unique elements.: It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter house. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how unique elements contribute to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. At the time you order your report, be sure to let us know if there are unique features of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition put on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's predisposed to flooding. These are things we'll find out on our own anyway, and knowing them as soon as possible makes your report arrive quicker.
Do the occupants know what to expect?: One of the most tedious tasks of the appraisal process is confirming an inspection date with the homeowner. We understand that a homeowner may be uneasy with an unknown person inspecting every square foot of their home, taking pictures, and making copious notes. Many commonly think they have to make the place spotless before the appraisal inspection, thinking that will increase the appraised value. And will choose to not schedule the appraisal inspection until it is cleaned.

Hearing from you -- a person they've been working with on their loan -- a little info about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't affect their home's value one little bit, and likely decrease the time it takes to inspect a home. I encourage you to point them to this website, where we have many pages of useful information for homeowners as well as others about the appraisal process. Tell them to call us if they want to meet the staff and learn more about our services. Remind them it benefits them to set the appointment soon!
Why not our website as a resource to follow the status of your report?: Why are you still playing phone and fax tag when our website offers 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 keep track of your report's status.