Some Suggestions for Shorter Turn Times

The appraisal profession is evolving at all times. Regularly, it seems, appraisers are asked to offer extra information or have steps added to their research. They do this extra work to guarantee their client receives the most useful information possible. To stay current with the continuously changing requirements, Foster Appraisal Services, LLC is continuously researching additional tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. Since Foster Appraisal Services, LLC knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed a handful of tips you can do to hasten the process on any appraisals you order with Foster Appraisal Services, LLC:

  1. Order your appraisals online. With online ordering, you receive automatic e-mail acknowledgements that the order was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip alone 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 request.

  2. Make sure that the subject property information is accurate and complete. 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 area sales is welcome — however, remember that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours might differ from yours.

    3. If you have any questions about your property or an assignment we're working on for you, feel free to call us at (207) 310-8716

  3. Tell us up front of the property's distinct details. Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how unique characteristics contribute 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 features of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition constructed, it's subject to zoning restrictions, and 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 faster.

  4. Let the occupants know what to expect. One of the most inefficient steps of the appraisal process is setting an appointment with the homeowner. Many homeowners are understandably apprehensive with the notion that a stranger wants to come in their home, look around, and take numerous notes. A common belief is that they need to make the place spotless before the appraisal inspection, under the impression that will increase the value . So they reschedule the appraisal inspection until they can get around to cleaning.

    Hearing it directly from you -- a trusted party with whom they already have a business relationship -- a little bit about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't affect their home's value one bit, will help move the process along for everyone. Our website has multiple pages of useful information about the appraisal process for homeowners. Please feel free to share it with your clients. Have them call us if they want to become familiar with our staff and services. And tell them it's to their benefit to set the appointment quickly!

  5. Easily follow the status of your report on our website. 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. There's no faster or easier way to keep track of the status of your report.