Some Steps to Faster Turn Times

The appraisal profession is always evolving. Regularly, it seems, appraisers are asked to offer extra information or have steps added to their appraisal process. All of this is to guarantee their client is presented with the best analysis possible. In order to stay current with the constantly changing requirements, Ault Appraisal Service is continuously testing additional tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. At Ault Appraisal Service we know that time is important to everybody, so we've listed a few items you can do to reduce turn times on any appraisals ordered with Ault Appraisal Service:

  1. Are you ordering appraisals online? When you order online, you automatically get e-mail confirmations that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. Ordering online is the single biggest time saver available to both of us! No longer do we have to manually enter information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether we received the order.

  2. Are you providing complete and accurate information about the subject property? Being just one number off on the street address can really unnecessarily delay an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name are great data to pass along with your assignment. Even a list of recent sales from the area is welcome — though be advised that professional appraisers must always 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 assignment we're working on for you, feel free to contact us

  4. Be sure to tell us about the unique characteristics of this property. Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how details 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 features of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition built on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, and it's susceptible to flooding. These are things we'd find out on our own anyway, and knowing them as early as possible makes your report arrive without delay.

  5. Set proper expectations with the homeowner. Confirming an appointment with the homeowner can be one of the most time consuming parts in the appraisal process. We understand that a homeowner may be uncomfortable with an outsider looking in every corner of their home, taking pictures, and making copious notes. With the idea that it will increase the value, a few homeowners believe they ought to make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by and will delay the appointment until the house is cleaned.

    Hearing it directly from you -- a trusted party with whom they are already working -- a little bit 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. Our website has multiple pages of helpful information about the appraisal process for homeowners. I encourage you to share it with your customers. Have them call us if they want to become familiar with the staff and our services. Remind them it's to their benefit to set the appointment soon!


  6. Are you using our website as a resource to follow your report's status? 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 available instantly to you online. It's never been easier to track your report's status.