5 Steps to Shorter Turn Times

The appraisal profession is always evolving. Every year, it seems, appraisers are asked to present more information or have steps added to their data gathering. All to guarantee their client is presented with the best information available. To keep up with the constantly changing requirements, Quast Appraisal Services, Inc. is continuously researching additional tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. At Quast Appraisal Services, Inc. we know that time is important to everybody, so we've listed a handful of items you can do to speed up the process every time you order an appraisal with Quast Appraisal Services, Inc. .

Are you ordering appraisals online?: When you order online, you automatically receive e-mail acknowledgements that the request was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. Online ordering is the single biggest time saver available to both of us! We don't have to re-key information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether the order was received.
Make sure that the subject property information is accurate and complete.: There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to unnecessarily slow down 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 in the area — though be advised that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.
Let us know up front of the property's distinct details.: Cookie-cutter houses are relatively easy to appraise. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how unique details 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 elements 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 would find out on our own, knowing them early on makes your report arrive faster.
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. Some homeowners are clearly uneasy with the fact a stranger wants to come in their house, look around, and make numerous notes. With the belief that it will increase the appraised value, many homeowners believe they should make the place spotless before the inspection. And will choose to not schedule the appraisal inspection until they can get around to cleaning.

Hearing from you -- the person they've been working with on their loan -- a little information 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 go a long way toward trimming the time it takes to inspect a home. I encourage you to point your customers to our website, where we have several pages of useful information for homeowners and others describing the appraisal process. Have them call us if they want to familiarize themselves with our staff and services. And tell them it benefits them to set the appointment quickly!
Why not our website as a resource to track 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 can be viewed instantly online. It's never been easier to track your report's status.