Five Suggestions for Shorter Turn Times

Appraising is an always changing profession. On a regular basis, it seems, appraisers are asked to provide more information or have steps added to their research. All to guarantee the end user is presented with the best information available. To keep up with the constantly changing requirements, South Shore Realty Advisors, Inc is constantly researching new tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for more efficiently. Since South Shore Realty Advisors, Inc knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed some things you can do to hasten the process whenever you order an appraisal with South Shore Realty Advisors, Inc.

Always order your appraisals on the Internet.: By ordering online, you get automatic e-mail notifications that the order was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip alone will save the most time! We don't have to manually enter information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether we received the order.
Are you providing complete and accurate information about the subject property?: Having just one number incorrect 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. We even welcome lists of recent sales in the area — remember, however, that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.
Tell us up front of the property's distinct elements.: Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how unique 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 features of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition constructed, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's predisposed to flooding. While these are things that we'll find out on our own, knowing them as early as possible will likely make your report arrive quicker.
Be sure the homeowner knows the the plan.: One of the most time consuming steps of the appraisal process is confirming an inspection date with the homeowner. We understand that a homeowner may be apprehensive with an unknown person inspecting every corner of their home, taking pictures, and making numerous notes. A common belief is that they should make the place spotless before the inspection, with the belief that will increase the appraised value. And will delay the appointment until it is cleaned.

Coming directly from you -- the 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 likely go a long way toward trimming the time it takes to inspect a home. I encourage you to point them to this website, where we have lots of pages of useful information for homeowners and others regarding the appraisal process. Have them call us if they want to meet the staff and learn more about our services. Remind them it's to their advantage to set the appointment quickly!
Use our website to verify 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 is available to you online. It's never been easier to track the status of your report.