5 Suggestions for Faster Turn Times

The appraisal profession is evolving continuously. Commonly, it seems, appraisers are asked to include additional information or have steps added to their research. All of this is to ensure their client has the best data possible. In order to stay current with the always changing requirements, Property Valuation Group is constantly acquiring additional tools and tweaking processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our clients. Since Property Valuation Group knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed some things you can do to reduce turn times when you order an appraisal from Property Valuation Group.

Always order your appraisals electronically.

By ordering online, you automatically receive e-mail confirmations that the request was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip single-handedly will save the most time! No longer do we have to re-key information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether we got the order.

Are you providing complete and accurate data about the subject property?

There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to 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 from the area is welcome — remember, however, that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.

If you have any questions about your property or an assignment we're working on for you, you're always welcome to call us at

Be sure to tell us about the property's distinct characteristics.

It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter home. What takes time is analyzing how unique characteristics add to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. When ordering your report, let us know if there are unique features of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition built on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's susceptible to flooding. These are things we would find out on our own anyway, and knowing them sooner is likely to make your report arrive quicker.

Be sure the occupants know the the plan.

Setting an inspection time and date with the homeowner can be one of the most time consuming parts in the appraisal process. It's understandable for a homeowner to be uneasy with an outsider looking in every corner of their home, taking pictures, and making lots of notes. Not uncommonly they think they ought to make the place spotless before the inspection, with the notion that will increase the appraised value. So they delay the appointment until they can get around to cleaning.

Hearing it directly from you -- a person they have been working with on their loan -- some knowledge 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 shorten the time it takes to inspect a home. Our website has lots of pages of relevant information about the appraisal process for homeowners. I encourage you to share it with your customers. Advise them to call us if they want to meet the staff and learn more about our services. Remind them it's to their benefit to set the appointment promptly!

Why not our website as a resource to track your report's status?

Phone and fax tag are a thing of the past with up-to-the-minute status updates available online, anytime, 24/7. As each important milestone in an assignment is completed, that information is available to you online. It's never been easier to keep track of your report's status.