Some Hints for Faster Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. Often, it seems, appraisers are asked to supply more information or have steps added to their process. All of this is to ensure their client gets the best data to be had. To stay current with the constantly changing requirements, Grand Valley Appraisals LLC is constantly testing new tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for more effectively. At Grand Valley Appraisals LLC we know that time is important to everybody, so we've listed a few tips you can do to hasten the process every time you order an appraisal with Grand Valley Appraisals LLC.

Are you ordering appraisals online?: With online ordering, you automatically receive e-mail acknowledgements that the order was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. It's the single biggest time saver available to both of us! No longer do we have to retype information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether the order was received.
Complete and accurate subject property information is essential.: There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to unnecessarily delay an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name is good information to include with the assignment. We even welcome lists of recent sales from the area — though be advised that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.
Be sure to tell us about the unique elements of this property.: Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how differing elements contribute to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. Let us know up front when you order your report if there are unique elements of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition put on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's predisposed to flooding. While these are things that we'd find out on our own, knowing them as soon as possible makes your report arrive faster.
Let the occupants know what to expect.: One of the most tedious tasks of the appraisal process is setting an inspection date with the homeowner. Many current homeowners are understandably uneasy with the notion an unknown persons wants to come in their house, look around, and make abundant notes. Under the belief that it will make the house appraise higher, some homeowners think they need to make the place spotless before the appraisal inspection. So they delay the appraisal inspection until they can get around to cleaning.

Hearing it directly from you -- the person they are working with on their loan -- some 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 shorten the time it takes to inspect a home. I encourage you to point your customers to our website, where we have several pages of relevant information for homeowners and others describing the appraisal process. Advise them to call us if they want to meet the staff and learn more about our services. Remind them it's in their interest to set the appointment soon!
Use our website to follow your report's status.: 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 instantly available to you online. It's never been easier to track the status of your report.