Five Hints for Quicker Turn Times

Appraising is an always changing profession. Often, it seems, appraisers are asked to provide extra information or have steps added to their data gathering. They do this extra work to ensure their client is presented with the best information to be had. In order to keep up with the always changing requirements, Integrated Assets is always acquiring new tools and improving processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for faster. Since Integrated Assets knows that time is important to everyone, below are some things you can do to lower turn times every time you order an appraisal with Integrated Assets.

Are you ordering appraisals online?: When you order online, you get automatic e-mail confirmations that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip single-handedly will save the most time! We don't have to retype information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether the order was received.
Make sure that the subject property information 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 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.
Be sure to let us know about the unique characteristics of this property.: Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how differing characteristics 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 had a recent addition put on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's predisposed to flooding. These are things we'd find out on our own anyway, and knowing them sooner makes your report arrive more quickly.
Let the homeowner know what to expect.: Confirming an appointment with the homeowner can be one of the most time consuming tasks in the appraisal process. Many homeowners are clearly apprehensive with the notion an outsider wants to come in their home, look around, and make copious notes. Under the impression that it will make the house appraise for more money, many homeowners believe they must make the place spotless before the inspection. And will delay the appointment until the house is cleaned.

Coming directly from you -- the person they have been working with on their loan -- a little information about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't make it more likely their sale will close, and can decrease the appraisal inspection time. Please feel free to point your customers to our website, where we have several pages of helpful information for homeowners and others about the appraisal process. Advise them to 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 as quickly as possible!
Why not our website as a resource to verify 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. There's no easier or faster way to track your report's status.