Five Suggestions for Swifter Turn Times

The appraisal profession is continuously evolving. Commonly, it seems, appraisers are asked to include extra information or have steps added to their process. All of this is to ensure their client is presented with the best information possible. In order to stay current with the constantly changing requirements, AAAnderson Associates Inc. is continuously acquiring additional tools and improving processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for more efficiently. Since AAAnderson Associates Inc. knows that time is important to everyone, here are some things you can do to speed up the process every time you order an appraisal from AAAnderson Associates Inc..

Are you ordering appraisals online?: When you order online, you receive automatic e-mail acknowledgements 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 the order was received.
Verify that the subject property data is accurate and complete.: Being just one number off on the street address can really unnecessarily interrupt an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name are great data to include with your assignment. 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 might differ from yours.
Are you telling us up front any elements of the property that might make it distinct?: It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter house. What takes time is analyzing how differing 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 details of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition put on, 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 as early as possible will likely make your report arrive sooner.
Be sure the homeowner knows the the plan.: One of the most time consuming parts of the appraisal process is setting an inspection date with the homeowner. Many current homeowners are justifiably uneasy with the thought a stranger wants to come in their home, look around, and make numerous notes. Thinking that it will make the house appraise for more money, some homeowners believe they must make the place spotless before the inspection. And will choose to not schedule the inspection until the house is cleaned.

Hearing it directly from you -- someone they have been working with on their loan -- a little bit about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't increase their home's value one little bit, and likely decrease the appraisal inspection time. I encourage you to point them to our website, where we have many pages of helpful information for homeowners as well as others describing the appraisal process. Have them call us if they want to familiarize themselves with the staff and our services. And tell them it benefits them to set the appointment promptly!
Why not our website as a resource to keep track of 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 we complete each important milestone in an assignment, that information can be viewed instantly online. It's never been easier to keep track of the status of your report.