5 Hints for Swifter Turn Times

The appraisal profession is constantly evolving. On a regular basis, it seems, appraisers are asked to provide extra information or have steps added to their data gathering. All of this is to ensure the end user gets the best information possible. To stay current with the constantly changing requirements, Steyskal Home Appraisal LLC is continuously seeking additional tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our clients. Since Steyskal Home Appraisal LLC knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed some items you can do to hasten the process on any appraisals ordered from Steyskal Home Appraisal LLC.

Always order your appraisals online.

When you order online, you receive automatic e-mail acknowledgements that the order was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip single-handedly will save the most time! No longer do we have to re-key information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether we got the request.

Are you providing complete and accurate data about the subject property?

Having just one number incorrect on the street address can really unnecessarily slow down 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.

You're always free to call us at if you have any questions about your property or a job we're working on for you.

Be sure to tell us about the property's distinct features.

Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how unique details 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 elements of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition built on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's susceptible to flooding. While these are things that we'll find out on our own, knowing them early on makes your report arrive earlier.

Let the homeowner know what to expect.

Setting an appointment with the homeowner can be one of the most time consuming tasks in the appraisal process. Many current homeowners are understandably uneasy with the idea an outsider wants to come in their house, look around, and make numerous notes. Believing that it will increase the appraised value, some homeowners feel they ought to make the place spotless before the inspection. So they choose to not schedule the appraisal inspection until they can get around to cleaning.

Coming from you -- someone they've been working with on their loan -- a short explanation about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't affect their home's value one little bit, and likely shorten the appraisal inspection time. Our website has several pages of useful information about the appraisal process for homeowners. Please feel free to share it with your clients. Advise them to call us if they want to become familiar with the staff and our services. And tell them it benefits them to set the appointment soon!

Easily keep tabs on the status of your report on our website.

No more phone and fax tag. Up-to-the-minute status updates are available online, anytime, 24/7. As each important milestone in an assignment is completed, that information can be viewed instantly online. There's no faster or easier way to keep track of your report's status.