Some Hints for Faster Turn Times

The appraisal profession is always evolving. Each year, it seems, appraisers are asked to present more information or have steps added to their data gathering - all to guarantee their client gets the best analysis that can be achieved. To keep up with the continuously changing requirements, Bain & Associates, Inc. Real Estate Appraisers is always testing additional tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for faster. Since Bain & Associates, Inc. Real Estate Appraisers knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed a few tips you can do to speed up the process when you order an appraisal with Bain & Associates, Inc. Real Estate Appraisers:

Are you ordering appraisals online? With online ordering, you automatically get e-mail confirmations that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip single-handedly 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 order.
Complete and accurate subject property information is key. There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to 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. Even a list of recent sales from the area is welcome — though be advised that professional appraisers are lawfully required to 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, you're always free to contact us

Tell us up front of the property's unique characteristics. 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. 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 recently had an addition constructed, it's subject to zoning restrictions, and it's prone to flooding. While these are things that we'll find out on our own, knowing them as soon as possible makes your report arrive without delay.
Let the occupants know what to expect. One of the most tedious parts of the appraisal process is setting an inspection date with the current homeowner. It's understandable for a homeowner to be uneasy with an outsider inspecting every square foot of their home, taking pictures, and making abundant notes. Having the thought that it will increase the value, a few homeowners think they have to make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by and will reschedule the appointment until they have cleaned.

Hearing from you -- a trusted party with whom they already have a business relationship -- a little knowledge 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. I encourage you to point your customers to our website, where we have lots of pages of helpful information for homeowners and others regarding 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 soon!
Our website is a great resource for following 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 instantly available to you online. It's never been easier to keep track of the status of your report.