Some Tips for Quicker Turn Times

Appraising is an always changing profession. Regularly, it seems, appraisers are asked to provide extra information or have steps added to their research. All to ensure the end user has the best information available. In order to keep up with the always changing requirements, The August Group Inc. is continuously seeking new tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our customers. Since The August Group Inc. knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed a handful of tips you can do to decrease turn times on any appraisals you order with The August Group Inc..

Are you ordering appraisals online?: By ordering online, you automatically get e-mail confirmations that the order was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip alone will save the most time! We don't have to retype information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether we received the request.
Complete and accurate subject property data is key.: There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to add unnecessary time to 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 from the area is welcome — though be advised that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours might differ from yours.
Be sure to let us know about the unique elements of this property.: Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how differing details contribute to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. Let us know up front when ordering your report if there are unique details of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition constructed, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's prone to flooding. These are things we'll find out on our own anyway, and knowing them as soon as possible will likely make your report arrive without delay.
Do the occupants know what to expect?: One of the most inefficient tasks of the appraisal process is setting an appointment with the occupants of the home. Many current homeowners are justifiably uneasy with the fact an outsider wants to come in their house, look around, and make lots of notes. With the notion that it will increase the appraised value, many homeowners feel they should make the place spotless before the inspection. And will put off the appointment until it is cleaned.

Hearing it directly from you -- a 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 can decrease the appraisal inspection time. Please feel free to point your clients to this website, where we have several pages of useful information for homeowners as well as others regarding the appraisal process. They can even call us if they want to meet our staff and learn more about our services. And tell them it benefits them to set the appointment quickly!
Are you using our website as a resource to follow your report's status?: No more phone and fax tag. Up-to-the-minute status updates are available online, anytime, 24/7. As we complete each important milestone in an assignment, that information can be viewed instantly online. There's no easier way to track your report's status.