A Few Tips for Faster Turn Times

Appraising is an always changing profession. Regularly, it seems, appraisers are asked to present extra information or have steps added to their appraisal process. All to guarantee their client has the best data to be had. To stay current with the continuously changing requirements, Property Valuation Group is constantly seeking additional tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for quickly. At Property Valuation Group we know that time is important to everybody, so we've listed a couple of tips you can do to trim turn times whenever you order an appraisal with Property Valuation Group.

Always order your appraisals online.

When you order online, you automatically receive e-mail notifications that the request was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip single-handedly will save the most time! We don't have to retype information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether we got the request.

Verify that the subject property information is accurate and complete.

Having just one number incorrect on the street address can really unnecessarily delay an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name are great data to pass long with your request. 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 be different from yours.

If you have any questions about your property or a job we're working on for you, feel free to call us at

Are you telling us up front any elements of the property that might make it distinct?

Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how details unique to a property add 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 characteristics 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'll find out on our own anyway, and knowing them sooner will likely make your report arrive faster.

Let the homeowner know what to expect.

Setting an appointment with the homeowner can be one of the most tedious parts in the appraisal process. Some current homeowners are understandably apprehensive with the thought a stranger wants to come in their house, look around, and take copious notes. Many commonly think they ought to make the place spotless before the inspection, with the notion that will increase the appraised value. And will choose to not schedule the inspection until it is cleaned.

Coming directly from you -- someone they are working with on their loan -- some knowledge about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't affect their home's value one little bit, and likely decrease the appraisal inspection time. Please feel free to point them to this website, where we have lots of pages of helpful information for homeowners and others describing the appraisal process. Tell them to call us if they want to meet the staff and learn more about our services. Remind them it benefits them to set the appointment as soon as possible!

Our website is a great resource for verifying 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 we complete each important milestone in an assignment, that information can be viewed instantly online. It's never been easier to track your report's status.