Some Tips for Swifter Turn Times

Appraising is an always changing profession. On a regular basis, it seems, appraisers are asked to include more information or have steps added to their research. All of this is to ensure their client has the best data available. To stay current with the continuously changing requirements, Vista Real Estate Services, Inc. is constantly acquiring new tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our clients. At Vista Real Estate Services, Inc. we know that time is important to everybody, so here are a handful of items you can do to lessen turn times on any appraisals you order with Vista Real Estate Services, Inc..

Are you ordering appraisals online?: With online ordering, you automatically receive e-mail notifications that the request was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. Online ordering is the single biggest time saver available to both of us! We don't have to manually enter information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether we got the order.
Verify that the subject property information is accurate and complete.: 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 in 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.
Let us know up front of the property's unique characteristics.: Cookie-cutter houses are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how elements unique to a property contribute 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 had a recent addition put on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's prone to flooding. While these are things that we'd find out on our own, knowing them as early as possible makes your report arrive faster.
Does the homeowner know what to expect?: Confirming an inspection time and date with the homeowner can be one of the most tedious steps in the appraisal process. Some homeowners are justifiably uneasy with the notion a stranger wants to come in their home, look around, and make copious notes. Having the thought that it will increase the value, many homeowners feel they have to make the place spotless before the appraisal inspection. And will choose to not schedule the appointment until they have cleaned.

Hearing it directly from you -- the person they have been working with on their loan -- a little info 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 shorten the time it takes to inspect a home. Please feel free to point them to this website, where we have multiple pages of helpful information for homeowners and others describing the appraisal process. They can even call us if they want to become familiar with our staff and services. Remind them it's to their advantage to set the appointment as quickly as possible!
Easily verify the status of your report on our website.: 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 is available to you online. It's never been easier to keep track of your report's status.