Five Hints for Swifter Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. Often, it seems, appraisers are asked to include extra information or have steps added to their data gathering. All of this is to ensure their client has the best data to be had. To keep up with the always changing requirements, DAS Appraisals is continuously seeking new tools and improving processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. Since DAS Appraisals knows that time is important to everyone, below are some things you can do to hasten the process on any appraisals ordered with DAS Appraisals.

Always order your appraisals online.: When you order online, you automatically get e-mail notifications that the request was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. It's 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 we got the order.
Are you providing complete and accurate information about the subject property?: Being just one number off on the street address can really add unnecessary time to an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name is helpful information to include with the request. Even a list of recent area sales is welcome — remember, however, that professional appraisers are lawfully required to do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may be different from yours.
Tell us up front of the property's distinct details.: It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter house. What takes time is analyzing how characteristics unique to a property contribute to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. Let us know up front when you order your report if there are unique features of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition built on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's susceptible to flooding. These are things we will find out on our own anyway, and knowing them sooner makes your report arrive sooner.
Do the occupants know what to expect?: One of the most time consuming parts of the appraisal process is confirming an inspection date with the occupants of the home. Some current homeowners are justifiably uncomfortable with the fact a stranger wants to come in their home, look around, and take numerous notes. Having the thought that it will increase the appraised value, some homeowners think they have to make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by. So they put off the appraisal inspection until the house is cleaned.

Hearing 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 make it more likely their sale will close, and can go a long way toward trimming the time it takes to inspect a home. Please feel free to point them to this website, where we have many pages of useful information for homeowners and others regarding the appraisal process. They can even call us if they want to become familiar with our staff and services. And tell them it's to their benefit to set the appointment as soon as possible!
Are you using our website as a resource to keep track of the status of your report?: 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 can be viewed instantly online. There's no faster or easier way to keep track of your report's status.