A Few Suggestions for Faster Turn Times

Appraising is an always changing profession. Every year, it seems, appraisers are asked to present extra information or have steps added to their data gathering. They do this additional work to ensure the end user has the best data to be had. In order to stay current with the constantly changing requirements, Paul Votta is continuously testing new tools and tweaking processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for more effectively. At Paul Votta we know that time is important to everybody, so here are some tips you can do to speed up the process on any appraisals you order from Paul Votta.

Order your appraisals online.: When you order online, you automatically get e-mail confirmations that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. Online ordering is the single biggest time saver available to both of us! No longer do we have to manually enter information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether we received the order.
Complete and accurate subject property data is crucial.: Having just one number incorrect 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 good information to pass long with your request. We even welcome lists of recent sales from the area — remember, however, that professional appraisers are lawfully required to 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?: It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter house. What takes time is analyzing how elements unique to a property add to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. Let us know up front when you order your report if there are unique elements of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition put on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's prone to flooding. These are things we'd find out on our own anyway, and knowing them early on will likely make your report arrive without delay.
Let the occupants know what to expect.: Setting an inspection time and date with the homeowner can be one of the most time consuming parts in the appraisal process. Some homeowners are justifiably uneasy with the idea a stranger wants to come in their house, look around, and take abundant notes. Believing that it will increase the appraised value, a few homeowners feel they must make the place spotless before the appraisal inspection. And will choose to not schedule the appointment until they have cleaned.

Hearing from you -- the person they have been working with on their loan -- a little 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 can decrease the time it takes to inspect a home. I encourage you to point your customers to this website, where we have many pages of useful information for homeowners as well as others describing the appraisal process. Advise them to call us if they want to become familiar with the staff and our services. Remind them it benefits them to set the appointment promptly!
Our website is a great resource for verifying your report's status.: 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 faster to track the status of your report.