A Few Suggestions for Swifter Turn Times

Appraising is an always changing profession. Each year, it seems, appraisers are asked to offer more information or have steps added to their process. They do this extra work to ensure their client has the best information to be had. To stay current with the continuously changing requirements, Property Valuation Group is always testing additional tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for faster. At Property Valuation Group we know that time is important to everybody, so we've listed some items you can do to speed up the process when you order an appraisal from Property Valuation Group.

Are you ordering appraisals online?

By ordering online, you automatically get e-mail acknowledgements that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This is the single biggest time saver available to both of us! No longer do we have to retype information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether we received the request.

Are you providing complete and accurate data about the subject property?

Having just one number incorrect on the street address can really unnecessarily slow down an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name are good data to pass long 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 may differ from yours.

If you have any questions about your property or an assignment we're working on for you, don't hesitate to contact us

Let us know up front of the property's unique features.

It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter house. What takes time is analyzing how differing features contribute 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 elements of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition built on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's susceptible to flooding. These are things we would find out on our own anyway, and knowing them sooner will likely make your report arrive quicker.

What are you doing to make the homeowner of the home aware of what to expect?

One of the most tedious tasks of the appraisal process is setting an inspection date with the homeowner. We understand that a homeowner may be apprehensive with a stranger looking in every square foot of their home, taking photos, and making abundant notes. Thinking that it will increase the value, some homeowners think they should make the place spotless before the appraisal inspection. And will delay the appraisal inspection until it is cleaned.

Hearing from you -- someone they have been working with on their loan -- some info 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. Our website has multiple pages of useful information about the appraisal process for homeowners. Please feel free to share it with your customers. They can even call us if they want to meet the staff and learn more about our services. And tell them it benefits them to set the appointment as soon as possible!

Why not our website as a resource to keep tabs on 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 each important milestone in an assignment is completed, that information is available to you online. It's never been easier to keep track of the status of your report.