Five Suggestions for Faster Turn Times

The appraisal profession is always evolving. Commonly, it seems, appraisers are asked to supply additional information or have steps added to their research. They do this extra work to ensure their client has the best information available. To stay current with the constantly changing requirements, Phoenix Valuations, LLC is constantly seeking new tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our clients. Since Phoenix Valuations, LLC knows that time is important to everyone, here are some tips you can do to hasten the process each time you order an appraisal with Phoenix Valuations, LLC.

Are you ordering appraisals online?: When you order online, you receive automatic 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.
Are you providing complete and accurate data about the subject property?: There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to 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 area sales is welcome — remember, however, that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours might differ from yours.
Be sure to tell us about the unique characteristics of this property.: Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how differing elements add to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. When you order your report, let us know if there are unique details of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition constructed, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's susceptible to flooding. While these are things that we would find out on our own, knowing them sooner makes your report arrive earlier.
Let the occupants know what to expect.: Setting an inspection time and date with the homeowner can be one of the most inefficient tasks in the appraisal process. Some homeowners are understandably apprehensive with the notion an outsider wants to come in their home, look around, and take abundant notes. With the notion that it will increase the appraised value, many homeowners think they must make the place spotless before the inspection. And will delay the appointment until the house is cleaned.

Hearing it directly from you -- a person they've 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 shorten the appraisal inspection time. Please feel free to point them to our website, where we have several pages of relevant information for homeowners and others about 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 follow the status of your report?: 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 is available instantly to you online. It's never been easier to track the status of your report.