A Few Tips for Shorter Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. On a regular basis, it seems, appraisers are asked to supply more information or have steps added to their appraisal process. All to ensure their client is presented with the best data possible. To stay current with the always changing requirements, Bolton Appraisal Services is constantly seeking new tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for quickly. At Bolton Appraisal Services we know that time is important to everybody, so below are some items you can do to trim turn times on any appraisals ordered with Bolton Appraisal Services.

Order your appraisals on the Internet.: By ordering online, you receive automatic e-mail confirmations that the order 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 the order was received.
Complete and accurate subject property data is crucial.: Being just one number off on the street address can really add unnecessary time to 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. We even welcome lists of recent sales from the area — though be advised that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.
Are you letting us know up front any details of the property that might make it distinct?: Cookie-cutter houses are relatively easy to appraise. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how differing features add 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 features of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition constructed, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's predisposed to flooding. These are things we will find out on our own anyway, and knowing them sooner will likely make your report arrive quicker.
Are you making the homeowner of the home aware of what to expect?: Confirming an appointment with the homeowner can be one of the most inefficient steps in the appraisal process. Many current homeowners are justifiably apprehensive with the fact a stranger wants to come in their house, look around, and make copious notes. Under the impression that it will make the house appraise for more money, a few homeowners think they must make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by. And will choose to not schedule the appraisal inspection until they can get around to cleaning.

Coming directly from you -- a person they've been working with on their loan -- a little information 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 shorten the appraisal inspection time. Please feel free to point them to this website, where we have multiple pages of useful information for homeowners and others describing the appraisal process. Have them call us if they want to familiarize themselves with the staff and our services. Remind them it benefits them to set the appointment soon!
Why not our website as a resource to track the status of your report?: Why are you still playing phone and fax tag when our website offers 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.