Some Hints for Swifter Turn Times

The appraisal profession is evolving continuously. Often, it seems, appraisers are asked to include more information or have steps added to their data gathering. All of this is to ensure their client is presented with the best information to be had. To stay current with the continuously changing requirements, South Jersey Appraisal Associates, LLC is continuously researching new tools and tweaking processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for quickly. At South Jersey Appraisal Associates, LLC we know that time is important to everybody, so here are some things you can do to hasten the process whenever you order an appraisal with South Jersey Appraisal Associates, LLC.

Order your appraisals electronically.: By ordering online, you get automatic e-mail notifications 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 nor will you wonder whether the order was received.
Verify that the subject property data is accurate and complete.: Having just one number incorrect on the street address can really unnecessarily delay an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name is great information to include with the assignment. 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 be different from yours.
Are you telling us up front any features 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 unique characteristics contribute 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, it's predisposed to flooding. While these are things that we will find out on our own, knowing them early on will likely make your report arrive more quickly.
Did you make the occupants of the home aware of what to expect?: One of the most inefficient tasks of the appraisal process is setting an inspection date with the homeowner. It's understandable for a homeowner to be uncomfortable with an unknown person looking in every corner of their home, taking pictures, and making numerous notes. A common belief is that they must make the place spotless before the appraisal inspection, believing that will make the house appraise higher. So they put off the appointment until they can get around to cleaning.

Coming from you -- a person they have been working with on their loan -- a little knowledge about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't increase their home's value one little bit, and likely go a long way toward trimming the time it takes to inspect a home. I encourage you to point them to this website, where we have many pages of relevant information for homeowners as well as others about the appraisal process. They can even call us if they want to meet the staff and learn more about our services. Remind them it benefits them to set the appointment soon!
Use our website to verify your report's status.: No more phone and fax tag. Up-to-the-minute status updates are available online, anytime, 24/7. As we complete each important milestone in an assignment, that information can be viewed instantly online. It's never been easier to track the status of your report.