Some Hints for Quicker Turn Times

The appraisal profession is evolving constantly. Often, it seems, appraisers are asked to include more information or have steps added to their process. All of this is to guarantee their client has the best information available. To stay current with the constantly changing requirements, South Shore Realty Advisors, Inc is always acquiring additional tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for faster. At South Shore Realty Advisors, Inc we know that time is important to everybody, so we've listed a few tips you can do to speed up the process on any appraisals you order with South Shore Realty Advisors, Inc.

Always order your appraisals online.: With online ordering, you automatically receive e-mail notifications that the order was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This is the single biggest time saver available to both of us! We don't have to manually enter information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether the order was received.
Are you providing complete and accurate data about the subject property?: There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to unnecessarily slow down an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name are good data to include with your request. Even a list of recent sales from the area is welcome — remember, however, that professional appraisers are lawfully required to do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours might differ from yours.
Are you telling us up front any elements of the property that might make it unique?: It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter house. What takes time is analyzing how features unique to a property 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 built on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's prone to flooding. These are things we'll find out on our own anyway, and knowing them as early as possible is likely to make your report arrive quicker.
Does the homeowner know what to expect?: Confirming an inspection time and date with the homeowner can be one of the most time consuming parts in the appraisal process. We understand that a homeowner may be uncomfortable with an unknown person inspecting every square foot of their home, taking photos, and making abundant notes. Some think they ought to make the place spotless before the appraisal inspection, having the thought that will increase the appraised value. And will delay the appraisal inspection until they have cleaned.

Coming directly from you -- someone 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 change their home's value one little bit, and likely go a long way toward trimming the time it takes to inspect a home. Please feel free to point them to this website, where we have many pages of relevant information for homeowners and others regarding the appraisal process. They can even call us if they want to meet the staff and learn more about our services. Remind them it's to their advantage to set the appointment promptly!
Are you using our website as a resource to keep track of the status of your report?: No more phone and fax tag. Up-to-the-minute status updates are 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.