Five Steps to Faster Turn Times

The appraisal profession is constantly evolving. Often, it seems, appraisers are asked to supply more information or have steps added to their process. All to guarantee the end user has the best information to be had. In order to keep up with the continuously changing requirements, AMB Real Estate Services, LLC is always researching new tools and improving processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our clients. At AMB Real Estate Services, LLC we know that time is important to everybody, so here are a couple of things you can do to reduce turn times on any appraisals you order with AMB Real Estate Services, LLC.

Order your appraisals electronically.: With online ordering, you receive automatic e-mail notifications that the order was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip single-handedly will save the most time! We don't have to manually enter information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether we received the request.
Are you providing complete and accurate data about the subject property?: Having just one number incorrect on the street address can really unnecessarily interrupt 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 unique characteristics.: Cookie-cutter houses are relatively easy to appraise. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how characteristics unique to a property add 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 characteristics of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition put on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's predisposed to flooding. These are things we'll find out on our own anyway, and knowing them early on makes your report arrive quicker.
Be sure the homeowner knows the the plan.: One of the most time consuming parts of the appraisal process is setting an appointment with the occupants of the home. Many homeowners are understandably uncomfortable with the fact a stranger wants to come in their house, look around, and take abundant notes. Having the thought that it will make the house appraise higher, some homeowners believe they need to make the place spotless before the inspection. So they delay the appointment until it is cleaned.

Coming directly from you -- someone they've been working with on their loan -- some 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 shorten the appraisal inspection time. Our website has several pages of helpful information about the appraisal process for homeowners. Please feel free to share it with your customers. Have them call us if they want to meet the staff and learn more about our services. Remind them it's in their interest to set the appointment without delay!
Are you using our website as a resource to follow 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 each important milestone in an assignment is completed, that information can be viewed instantly online. It's never been easier to track the status of your report.