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A Few Suggestions for Quicker Turn Times

The appraisal profession is constantly evolving. Commonly, it seems, appraisers are asked to include extra information or have steps added to their appraisal process - all to ensure the end user is presented with the best analysis possible. To stay current with the always changing requirements, Tradewinds Appraisals, LLC is continuously researching additional tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. At Tradewinds Appraisals, LLC we know that time is important to everybody, so we've listed some things you can do to reduce turn times whenever you order an appraisal with Tradewinds Appraisals, LLC:

  1. Are you ordering appraisals online? By ordering online, 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 you don't have to wonder whether we got the request.  We are also easily accessible by the phone at (409) 750-3180.

  2. Are you providing complete and accurate information about the subject property? 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 — though be advised that professional appraisers are lawfully required to do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.

  3. If you have any questions about your property or an appraisal we're working on for you, you're always welcome to call us at (409) 750-3180

  4. Tell us up front of the property's distinct elements. It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter home. 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. Let us know up front when you order your report if there are unique characteristics 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. While these are things that we will find out on our own, knowing them as soon as possible makes your report arrive sooner.

  5. Let the homeowner know what to expect. Setting an appointment with the homeowner can be one of the most time consuming parts in the appraisal process. Many homeowners are clearly uneasy with the thought that an outsider wants to come in their home, look around, and make copious notes. A common belief is that they must make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by, having the thought that will make the house appraise higher . So they delay the inspection until the house is cleaned.

    Coming directly from you -- a trusted party with whom they already have a business relationship -- a little info 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. Please feel free to point your clients to our website, where we have multiple pages of relevant information for homeowners as well as others regarding the appraisal process. Encourage them to call us if they want to meet the staff and learn more about our services. And tell them it benefits them to set the appointment without delay!


  6. Our website is a great resource for verifying the status of your report. 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 can be viewed instantly online. There's no easier way to track your report's status.