A Few Hints for Quicker Turn Times

The appraisal profession is evolving constantly. Every year, it seems, appraisers are asked to offer extra information or have steps added to their appraisal process - all to ensure the end user gets the most useful analysis that can be achieved. To stay current with the always changing requirements, First Choice Appraisal Services, Inc. is always seeking new tools and improving processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for in less time. Since First Choice Appraisal Services, Inc. knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed some items you can do to trim turn times on any appraisals ordered with First Choice Appraisal Services, Inc.:

  1. Are you ordering appraisals online? When you order online, you receive automatic e-mail notifications 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 retype information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether the order was received.

  2. Confirm that the subject property data is accurate and complete. Having just one number incorrect on the street address can really unnecessarily slow down an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name are good data to pass along with the assignment. Even a list of recent sales from the area is welcome — however, remember that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours might differ from yours.

  3. If you have any questions about your property or a job we're working on for you, you're always welcome to call us at 561-629-8205

  4. Be sure to let us know about the property's unique characteristics. It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter home. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how differing elements contribute to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. Let us know up front when ordering your report 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, and it's susceptible to flooding. These are things we would find out on our own anyway, and knowing them as early as possible makes your report arrive earlier.

  5. Set proper expectations with the homeowner. Confirming an inspection time and date with the homeowner can be one of the most tedious steps in the appraisal process. It's understandable for a homeowner to be uncomfortable with a stranger inspecting every corner of their home, taking pictures, and making lots of notes. Many commonly think they ought to make the place spotless before the appraisal inspection, under the impression that will increase the appraised value and will put off the appointment until they can get around to cleaning.

    Hearing it directly from you -- a trusted party with whom they already have a business relationship -- a little info 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 relevant information for homeowners and others describing the appraisal process. Have them call us if they want to become familiar with the staff and our services. And tell them it's to their advantage to set the appointment as quickly as possible!


  6. Our website is a great resource for verifying your report's status. 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 we complete each important milestone in an assignment, that information is available to you online. There's no easier way to keep track of the status of your report.