Some Hints for Faster Turn Times

Appraising is an always changing profession. Regularly, it seems, appraisers are asked to present extra information or have steps added to their appraisal process - all to ensure their client gets the most useful analysis that can be achieved. To stay current with the continuously changing requirements, Winn Appraisal Services is constantly testing new tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. Since Winn Appraisal Services knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed some items you can do to accelerate the process when you order an appraisal with Winn Appraisal Services:

  1. Are you ordering appraisals online? When you order online, you automatically receive e-mail notifications that the request was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip single-handedly will save the most time! We don't have to re-key information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether we got the order.

  2. Verify that the subject property data is accurate and complete. Being just one number off on the street address can really unnecessarily delay an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name is great information to include with your request. Even a list of recent sales from the area is welcome — though be advised that professional appraisers are lawfully required to do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours might differ from yours.

    3. You're always welcome to contact us if you have any questions about your property or an assignment we're working on for you.

  3. Let us know up front of the property's unique details. Cookie-cutter houses are relatively easy to appraise. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how differing features 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 details of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition constructed, it's subject to zoning restrictions, and it's susceptible to flooding. These are things we'll find out on our own anyway, and knowing them as soon as possible will likely make your report arrive sooner.

  4. Let the occupants know what to expect. Confirming an inspection time and date with the homeowner can be one of the most inefficient steps in the appraisal process. It's understandable for a homeowner to be uneasy with a stranger inspecting every square foot of their home, taking pictures, and making numerous notes. Thinking that it will make the house appraise higher, some homeowners feel they need to make the place spotless before the inspection and will put off the inspection until the house is cleaned.

    Hearing it directly from you -- a trusted party with whom they are already working -- a little knowledge about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't make a significant difference in their home's value, will help move the process along for everyone. Our website has several pages of relevant information about the appraisal process for homeowners. I encourage you to share it with your clients. They can even call us if they want to meet our staff and learn more about our services. And tell them it benefits them to set the appointment as quickly as possible!

  5. Our website is a great resource for tracking 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 track your report's status.