Some Suggestions for Quicker Turn Times

The appraisal profession is always evolving. Regularly, it seems, appraisers are asked to provide extra information or have steps added to their research. All of this is to guarantee their client gets the best information to be had. In order to keep up with the always changing requirements, Di Cicco & Associates is always acquiring new tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our customers. Since Di Cicco & Associates knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed a few items you can do to speed up the process on any appraisals you order from Di Cicco & Associates.

Are you ordering appraisals online?: By ordering online, you automatically receive e-mail acknowledgements that the request was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip single-handedly will save the most time! No longer do we have to manually enter information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether we received the request.
Complete and accurate subject property information is key.: There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to unnecessarily interrupt 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 from the area — remember, however, that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.
Let us know up front of the property's distinct features.: Cookie-cutter homes 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. When you order your report, let us know if there are unique details of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition built on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's predisposed to flooding. These are things we would find out on our own anyway, and knowing them early on will likely make your report arrive more quickly.
Be sure the occupants know the the plan.: One of the most tedious steps of the appraisal process is confirming an inspection date with the homeowner. Many current homeowners are justifiably apprehensive with the idea a stranger wants to come in their house, look around, and take lots of notes. Believing that it will make the house appraise for more money, some homeowners feel they ought to make the place spotless before the appraisal inspection. So they delay the inspection until the house is cleaned.

Coming directly from you -- the person they have been working with on their loan -- a short explanation about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't make it more likely their sale will close, and likely decrease the appraisal inspection time. Our website has lots of pages of relevant information about the appraisal process for homeowners. I encourage you to share it with your clients. Have them call us if they want to meet the staff and learn more about our services. And tell them it's to their advantage to set the appointment quickly!
Why not our website as a resource to track 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. It's never been easier to keep track of your report's status.