Five Hints for Faster Turn Times

The appraisal profession is evolving at all times. Often, it seems, appraisers are asked to provide more information or have steps added to their research - all to ensure the end user gets the best data possible. In order to keep up with the always changing requirements, Osborne Bay Area Appraisals, Inc. is continuously researching additional tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. Since Osborne Bay Area Appraisals, Inc. knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed some items you can do to reduce turn times on any appraisals you order with Osborne Bay Area Appraisals, Inc.:

Are you ordering appraisals online? By ordering online, you automatically receive e-mail confirmations that the order was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip alone will save the most time! No longer do we 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. Having just one number incorrect on the street address can really unnecessarily interrupt an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name is good information to pass along with the assignment. Even a list of recent area sales is welcome — however, remember 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 a job we're working on for you, don't hesitate to contact us

Let us know up front of the property's distinct characteristics. Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how unique elements contribute to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. When you order your report, let us know if there are unique characteristics of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition built on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, and it's susceptible to flooding. While these are things that we would find out on our own, knowing them as soon as possible will likely make your report arrive without delay.
What are you doing to make the homeowner of the home aware of what to expect? One of the most tedious tasks of the appraisal process is setting an inspection date with the occupants of the home. We understand that a homeowner may be uncomfortable with a stranger inspecting every corner of their home, taking pictures, and making numerous notes. One common belief is that they have to make the place spotless before the inspection, thinking that will increase the value and will choose to not schedule the appointment until they have cleaned.

Hearing from you -- a trusted party with whom they already have a business relationship -- some info about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't increase their home's value one bit, will help move the process along for everyone. Our website has multiple pages of helpful information about the appraisal process for homeowners. I encourage you to share it with your customers. They can even call us if they want to become familiar with our staff and services. And tell them it benefits them to set the appointment as quickly as possible!
Use our website 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 instantly to you online. There's no faster way to track the status of your report.