Some Hints for Faster Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. Regularly, it seems, appraisers are asked to present extra information or have steps added to their process - all to guarantee the end user gets the most useful data possible. To keep up with the always changing requirements, Wiregrass Appraisal Services, Inc. is constantly researching additional tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for faster. At Wiregrass Appraisal Services, Inc. we know that time is important to everybody, so below are some items you can do to reduce turn times each time you order an appraisal with Wiregrass Appraisal Services, Inc.:

Order your appraisals electronically. With online ordering, you automatically receive e-mail confirmations that the order was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. Ordering online is the single biggest time saver available to both of us! No longer do we have to re-key information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether the order was received.
Complete and accurate subject property information is crucial. 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 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.


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

Be sure to let us know about the unique characteristics of this property. Cookie-cutter houses 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 features of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition constructed, it's subject to zoning restrictions, and it's predisposed to flooding. These are things we will find out on our own anyway, and knowing them sooner makes your report arrive quicker.
Let the occupants know what to expect. One of the most inefficient steps of the appraisal process is setting an appointment with the homeowner. Many current homeowners are understandably apprehensive with the fact that a stranger wants to come in their home, look around, and make lots of notes. One common belief is that they must make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by, having the thought that will increase the value and will choose to not schedule the inspection until they can get around to cleaning.

Hearing it directly from you -- a trusted party with whom they are already working -- a little bit about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't increase their home's value one bit, will help move the process along for everyone. I encourage you to point them to our website, where we have several pages of useful information for homeowners as well as others describing the appraisal process. They can even call us if they want to become familiar with the staff and our services. Remind them it's to their benefit to set the appointment quickly!
Our website is a great resource for verifying 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 to you online. There's no easier way to track your report's status.