Faster Appraisals

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. Every year, it seems, appraisers are asked to supply additional information or have steps added to their appraisal process. All of this is to guarantee their client gets the best information possible. To keep up with the continuously changing requirements, Five County Realty and Appraisal is always acquiring new tools and improving processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our customers. At Five County Appraisal we know that time is important to everybody, so here are some things you can do to speed up the process when you order an appraisal with Five County Appraisal.

Always order your appraisals on the Internet.: When you order online, you automatically get e-mail confirmations that the request 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 nor will you wonder whether the order was received.
Confirm that the subject property data is accurate and complete.: There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to 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. Even a list of recent area sales is welcome — though be advised that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours might differ from yours.
Are you letting us know up front any characteristics of the property that might make it distinct?: Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how differing characteristics add 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 characteristics 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 soon as possible makes your report arrive sooner.
Do the occupants know what to expect?: One of the most time consuming parts of the appraisal process is setting an inspection date with the homeowner. We understand that a homeowner may be apprehensive with a stranger inspecting every square foot of their home, taking photos, and making abundant notes. A common belief is that they need to make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by, under the impression that will increase the value. And will delay the appraisal inspection until the house is cleaned.

Hearing it directly from you -- a person they've been working with on their loan -- a little info about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't increase their home's value one little bit, and can shorten the time it takes to inspect a home. Our website has numerous pages of helpful information about the appraisal process for homeowners. I encourage you to share it with your clients. Encourage them to call us if they want to meet our staff and learn more about our services. Remind them it benefits them to set the appointment without delay!
Use our website to keep track of 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 instantly to you online. There's no easier way to track your report's status.