5 Hints for Quicker Turn Times

Appraising is an always changing profession. Regularly, it seems, appraisers are asked to provide additional information or have steps added to their data gathering. They do this extra work to guarantee the end user is presented with the most useful data possible. In order to stay current with the continuously changing requirements, Aztec Appraisals, LLC is always seeking additional tools and improving processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. Since Aztec Appraisals, LLC knows that time is important to everyone, here are a few things you can do to trim turn times on any appraisals ordered with Aztec Appraisals, LLC:

  1. Always order your appraisals on the Internet. When you order online, you automatically receive e-mail acknowledgements that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. Ordering online is the single biggest time saver available to both of us! We don't have to re-key information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether we received the request.

  2. Verify that the subject property information is accurate and complete. There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to unnecessarily slow down 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 — however, remember that professional appraisers are lawfully required to do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may be different from yours.

    3. You're always welcome to call us at 832-567-1124 if you have any questions about your property or an assignment we're working on for you.

  3. Be sure to let us know about the unique details of this property. Cookie-cutter houses are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how unique characteristics 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 recently had an addition constructed, it's subject to zoning restrictions, and it's predisposed to flooding. While these are things that we will find out on our own, knowing them as early as possible makes your report arrive sooner.

  4. Let the homeowner 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 uncomfortable with a stranger looking in every corner of their home, taking photos, and making lots of notes. Under the belief that it will make the house appraise for more money, many homeowners think they need to make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by and will choose to not schedule the appraisal inspection until they have cleaned.

    Coming from you -- a trusted party with whom they already have a business relationship -- a short explanation 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. 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 become familiar with the staff and our services. Remind them it's in their interest to set the appointment quickly!

  5. Why not use our website as a resource 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 each important milestone in an assignment is completed, that information can be viewed instantly online. It's never been easier to track the status of your report.