A Few Tips for Quicker Turn Times

The appraisal profession is evolving continuously. Each year, it seems, appraisers are asked to provide more information or have steps added to their data gathering. They do this extra work to guarantee the end user receives the best data possible. In order to stay current with the continuously changing requirements, Iman Appraisals, Inc. is constantly acquiring additional tools and improving processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our clients. Since Iman Appraisals, Inc. knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed a handful of items you can do to hasten the process on any appraisals ordered from Iman Appraisals, Inc..

Are you ordering appraisals online?: By ordering online, you automatically receive e-mail confirmations that the request was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip alone will save the most time! We don't have to manually enter information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether we got the request.
Make sure that the subject property data is accurate and complete.: There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to unnecessarily delay an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name is good information to pass long with your request. We even welcome lists of recent sales in the area — remember, however, that professional appraisers are lawfully required to do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours might differ from yours.
Be sure to tell us about the property's distinct details.: Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how differing features 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 elements of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition built on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's prone to flooding. These are things we will find out on our own anyway, and knowing them early on will likely make your report arrive more quickly.
Let the occupants know what to expect.: Setting an appointment with the homeowner can be one of the most inefficient parts in the appraisal process. It's understandable for a homeowner to be uneasy with an outsider looking in every square foot of their home, taking photos, and making lots of notes. With the idea that it will make the house appraise higher, some homeowners feel they need to make the place spotless before the appraisal inspection. So they delay the appraisal inspection until it is cleaned.

Coming from you -- a person they are working with on their loan -- a little knowledge about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't change their home's value one little bit, 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 clients. They can even call us if they want to meet the staff and learn more about our services. Remind them it's in their interest to set the appointment quickly!
Why not our website as a resource to verify 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 is available to you online. It's never been easier to track the status of your report.