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5 Hints for Faster Turn Times

Appraising is an always changing profession. Every year, it seems, appraisers are asked to include extra information or have steps added to their appraisal process. All of this is to guarantee their client gets the best data. To stay current with the always changing requirements, Seaway Appraisals is always seeking additional tools and improving processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. At Seaway Appraisals we know that time is important to everybody, so below are some items you can do to speed up the process on any appraisals ordered with Seaway Appraisals:

  1. Always order your appraisals online. When you order online, you get automatic e-mail notifications that the order was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. Online ordering 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 we received the order.

  2. 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 — though be advised that professional appraisers are lawfully required to do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may be different from yours.

    3. If you have any questions about your property or a job we're working on for you, don't hesitate to contact us

  3. Be sure to let us know about the property's distinct elements. It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter home. What takes time is analyzing how differing elements contribute to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. At the time you order your report, be sure to let us know if there are unique elements 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. While these are things that we'll find out on our own, knowing them as soon as possible will likely make your report arrive earlier.

  4. Let the occupants know what to expect. One of the most time consuming steps of the appraisal process is confirming an appointment with the occupants of the home. Many homeowners are clearly apprehensive with the idea that an unknown persons wants to come in their house, look around, and take copious notes. Not uncommonly they think they must make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by, with the idea that will make the house appraise for more money and will put off the appointment until they can get around to cleaning.

    Coming directly from you -- a trusted party with whom they are already working -- a little information 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. I encourage you to point your clients to our website, where we have many pages of helpful information for homeowners as well as others describing the appraisal process. 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 promptly!

  5. Our website is a great resource for following the status of your report. Why are you still playing phone and fax tag when our website offers 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 your report's status.