5 Tips for Quicker Turn Times

The appraisal profession is evolving constantly. On a regular basis, it seems, appraisers are asked to provide additional information or have steps added to their appraisal process. All of this is to guarantee their client gets the best data possible. To keep up with the continuously changing requirements, REID E. CHOATE & ASSOCIATES, LLC is constantly seeking additional tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our customers. Since REID E. CHOATE & ASSOCIATES, LLC knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed a handful of items you can do to lessen turn times when you order an appraisal with REID E. CHOATE & ASSOCIATES, LLC:

Are you ordering appraisals online? By ordering online, you get automatic e-mail acknowledgements that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip alone will save the most time! No longer do we have to manually enter information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether the order was received.
Verify that the subject property information is accurate and complete. 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 great information to include with your assignment. We even welcome lists of recent sales from the area — though be advised that professional appraisers are lawfully required to do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours might differ from yours.


	If you have any questions about your property or an appraisal we're working on for you, you're always welcome to call us at 808-965-0238

Be sure to let us know about the property's unique characteristics. Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is 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 details of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition put on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, and it's predisposed to flooding. These are things we'll find out on our own anyway, and knowing them sooner makes your report arrive without delay.
Be sure the occupants know the plan. Setting an appointment with the homeowner can be one of the most inefficient parts in the appraisal process. We understand that a homeowner may be apprehensive with an outsider looking in every corner of their home, taking photos, and making abundant notes. Having the thought that it will increase the appraised value, some homeowners think they have to make the place spotless before the appraisal inspection and will delay the inspection until they can get around to cleaning.

Coming from you -- a trusted party with whom they are already working -- a little knowledge about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't increase their home's value one bit, will help move the process along for everyone. 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 familiarize themselves with the staff and our services. Remind them it benefits them to set the appointment promptly!
Easily track 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 each important milestone in an assignment is completed, that information can be viewed instantly online. It's never been easier to keep track of your report's status.