Some Steps to Quicker Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. Commonly, it seems, appraisers are asked to include additional information or have steps added to their process. All to guarantee their client gets the best data available. To stay current with the continuously changing requirements, Island House Appraisals Inc is always seeking new tools and tweaking processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. At Island House Appraisals Inc we know that time is important to everybody, so here are some tips you can do to accelerate the process on any appraisals ordered with Island House Appraisals Inc.

Always order your appraisals online.: With online ordering, you automatically get e-mail acknowledgements that the order was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip single-handedly will save the most time! No longer do we have to retype information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether the order was received.
Are you providing complete and accurate information about the subject property?: Being just one number off on the street address can really unnecessarily delay 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 from the area — remember, however, that professional appraisers are lawfully required to do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.
Tell us up front of the property's unique details.: Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how differing features 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 elements of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition put on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's susceptible to flooding. While these are things that we'd find out on our own, knowing them as early as possible makes your report arrive sooner.
Do the occupants know what to expect?: Setting an inspection time and date with the homeowner can be one of the most tedious tasks in the appraisal process. It's understandable for a homeowner to be uneasy with an unknown person inspecting every square foot of their home, taking pictures, and making copious notes. A common belief is that they ought to make the place spotless before the inspection, under the impression that will make the house appraise for more money. And will reschedule the appointment until it is cleaned.

Coming from you -- a person they are working with on their loan -- a little knowledge about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't make it more likely their sale will close, and likely shorten the time it takes to inspect a home. Our website has lots of pages of relevant information about the appraisal process for homeowners. Please feel free to share it with your clients. Tell them to call us if they want to meet the staff and learn more about our services. Remind them it benefits them to set the appointment promptly!
Easily keep tabs on the status of your report on our website.: 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 keep track of the status of your report.