5 Hints for Swifter Turn Times

The appraisal profession is always evolving. Often, it seems, appraisers are asked to supply additional information or have steps added to their data gathering. They do this extra work to guarantee their client receives the best analysis possible. In order to keep up with the constantly changing requirements, Di Cicco & Associates is continuously researching new tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for quickly. Since Di Cicco & Associates knows that time is important to everyone, here are a few things you can do to accelerate the process on any appraisals ordered with Di Cicco & Associates:

  1. Order your appraisals online. By ordering online, you automatically receive e-mail acknowledgements that the order was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. Ordering online 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 the order was received.

  2. Are you providing complete and accurate information about the subject property? Having just one number incorrect on the street address can really add unnecessary time to an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name are good data to include with your assignment. We even welcome lists of recent sales in the area — though be advised that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.

    3. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about your property or an appraisal we're working on for you.

  3. Be sure to tell us about the unique elements of this property. Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how unique characteristics add 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 characteristics of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition constructed, it's subject to zoning restrictions, and it's susceptible to flooding. These are things we would find out on our own anyway, and knowing them as soon as possible makes your report arrive more quickly.

  4. Let the homeowner know what to expect. Confirming an inspection time and date with the homeowner can be one of the most inefficient tasks in the appraisal process. It's understandable for a homeowner to be apprehensive with a stranger inspecting every square foot of their home, taking pictures, and making lots of notes. A common belief is that they need to make the place spotless before the inspection, with the belief that will increase the value and will put off the appraisal inspection until they can get around to cleaning.

    Hearing from you -- a trusted party with whom they are already working -- a little info about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't make a significant difference in their home's value, will help move the process along for everyone. Our website has several pages of relevant information about the appraisal process for homeowners. I encourage you to share it with your customers. Have them call us if they want to familiarize themselves with our staff and services. And tell them it benefits them to set the appointment quickly!

  5. Our website is a great resource for following the status of your report. 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 instantly available to you online. It's never been easier to keep track of the status of your report.