A Few Steps to Quicker Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. Often, it seems, appraisers are asked to present additional information or have steps added to their data gathering. All to ensure the end user is presented with the best data available. To stay current with the continuously changing requirements, West Valley Appraisal Services is continuously acquiring additional tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for quickly. Since West Valley Appraisal Services knows that time is important to everyone, below are some items you can do to decrease turn times on any appraisals you order with West Valley Appraisal Services.

Always order your appraisals electronically.: When you order online, you automatically receive e-mail notifications 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 re-key information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether we got the request.
Make sure that the subject property information is accurate and complete.: Being just one number off on the street address can really unnecessarily slow down an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name is great information to include with your request. Even a list of recent area sales is welcome — though be advised that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may be different from yours.
Are you letting us know up front any characteristics of the property that might make it unique?: It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter home. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how features unique to a property 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 features of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition put on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's susceptible to flooding. While these are things that we will find out on our own, knowing them sooner is likely to make your report arrive faster.
Do the occupants know what to expect?: Setting an appointment with the homeowner can be one of the most tedious tasks in the appraisal process. It's understandable for a homeowner to be uncomfortable with an outsider looking in every corner of their home, taking pictures, and making lots of notes. Under the belief that it will make the house appraise higher, many homeowners believe they must make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by. And will choose to not schedule the inspection until they can get around to cleaning.

Hearing from you -- someone they've 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 likely decrease the appraisal inspection time. I encourage you to point your customers to this website, where we have multiple pages of useful information for homeowners and others regarding the appraisal process. Have them call us if they want to meet our staff and learn more about our services. And tell them it's to their advantage to set the appointment without delay!
Use our website 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. It's never been easier and faster to keep track of your report's status.