5 Suggestions for Swifter Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. On a regular basis, it seems, appraisers are asked to present more information or have steps added to their appraisal process. All of this is to ensure their client is presented with the most useful data. To stay current with the constantly changing requirements, Merit Appraisal Service is always researching additional tools and tweaking processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. At Merit Appraisal Service we know that time is important to everybody, so here are some things you can do to speed up the process on any appraisals you order from Merit Appraisal Service:

Always order your appraisals electronically. When you order online, you get automatic e-mail acknowledgements that the order was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. Ordering online is the single biggest time saver available to both of us! We don't have to re-key information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether the order was received.
Confirm that the subject property data is accurate and complete. There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to add unnecessary time to an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name are great data to include with the request. Even a list of recent area sales is welcome — though be advised that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.


	If you have any questions about your property or a job we're working on for you, don't hesitate to call us at 573-204-3071

Are you letting us know up front any features of the property that might make it distinct? Cookie-cutter houses are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how details unique to a property add to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. When ordering your report, let us know 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. These are things we would find out on our own anyway, and knowing them early on is likely to make your report arrive without delay.
Do the occupants know what to expect? One of the most time consuming parts of the appraisal process is setting an inspection date with the homeowner. It's understandable for a homeowner to be apprehensive with an unknown person looking in every corner of their home, taking pictures, and making numerous notes. Having the thought that it will make the house appraise higher, a few homeowners think they ought to make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by . So they delay the appointment until they have cleaned.

Coming directly from you -- a trusted party with whom they already have a business relationship -- a little knowledge 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 many pages of relevant information about the appraisal process for homeowners. I encourage you to share it with your customers. Advise them to call us if they want to become familiar with the staff and our services. Remind them it benefits them to set the appointment quickly!
Our website is a great resource for keeping tabs on your report's status. 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 is instantly available to you online. There's no faster or easier way to keep track of your report's status.