Some Hints for Quicker Turn Times

The appraisal profession is constantly evolving. Regularly, it seems, appraisers are asked to present extra information or have steps added to their process. All of this is to guarantee their client gets the best information available. In order to keep up with the always changing requirements, The August Group Inc. is always acquiring new tools and improving processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. Since The August Group Inc. knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed a couple of things you can do to speed up the process on any appraisals ordered from The August Group Inc..

Are you ordering appraisals online?: By ordering online, you get automatic e-mail acknowledgements that the request was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This is the single biggest time saver available to both of us! No longer do we have to re-key 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?: Having just one number incorrect on the street address can really 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. Even a list of recent sales in the area is welcome — 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 details.: Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how differing elements 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 put on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's predisposed to flooding. These are things we'd find out on our own anyway, and knowing them early on is likely to make your report arrive quicker.
Let the occupants know what to expect.: Confirming an inspection time and date with the homeowner can be one of the most inefficient parts in the appraisal process. Many current homeowners are justifiably uncomfortable with the idea an outsider wants to come in their house, look around, and take copious notes. One common belief is that they must make the place spotless before the inspection, with the notion that will make the house appraise higher. So they choose to not schedule the inspection until it is cleaned.

Hearing from you -- a person they've been working with on their loan -- a little info 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 become familiar with the staff and our services. Remind them it's to their benefit to set the appointment as soon as possible!
Our website is a great resource for tracking 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 keep track of your report's status.