5 Tips for Faster Turn Times

The appraisal profession is continuously evolving. Regularly, it seems, appraisers are asked to offer extra information or have steps added to their research. All of this is to guarantee their client receives the best data possible. In order to stay current with the continuously changing requirements, Riverpoint Appraisals is continuously acquiring new tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. At Riverpoint Appraisals we know that time is important to everybody, so below are some items you can do to accelerate the process on any appraisals ordered with Riverpoint Appraisals.

Are you ordering appraisals online? When you order online, you get automatic e-mail notifications that the order was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip alone will save the most time! No longer do we have to retype information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether the order was received.
Are you providing complete and accurate data about the subject property? Being just one number off on the street address can really unnecessarily slow down an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name is good information to pass long with the request. Even a list of recent sales in the area is welcome — however, remember that professional appraisers are lawfully required to do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.


	You're always welcome to call us at 571-333-3747 if you have any questions about your property or a job we're working on for you.

Be sure to let us know about the property's unique features. It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter house. 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. At the time you order your report, be sure to let us know if there are unique details of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition constructed, it's subject to zoning restrictions, and it's prone to flooding. These are things we'll find out on our own anyway, and knowing them as soon as possible makes your report arrive without delay.
What are you doing to make the homeowner of the home aware of what to expect? Confirming an inspection time and date with the homeowner can be one of the most time consuming parts in the appraisal process. We understand that a homeowner may be apprehensive with a stranger inspecting every corner of their home, taking photos, and making abundant notes. Believing that it will increase the appraised value, many homeowners feel they ought to make the place spotless before the inspection. So they reschedule the appraisal inspection until the house is cleaned.

Coming directly from you -- the person they are working with on their loan -- a little bit about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't affect their home's value one little bit, and can decrease the appraisal inspection time. Our website has lots of pages of helpful information about the appraisal process for homeowners. I encourage you to share it with your customers. Have them call us if they want to become familiar with our staff and services. Remind them it's in their interest to set the appointment without delay!
Use our website 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 each important milestone in an assignment is completed, that information can be viewed instantly online. There's no easier way to track the status of your report.