5 Steps to Quicker Turn Times

Appraising is an always changing profession. Often, it seems, appraisers are asked to supply extra information or have steps added to their research. All of this is to guarantee the end user is presented with the best information possible. In order to stay current with the continuously changing requirements, Kirk Appraised is continuously seeking new tools and improving processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for in less time. Since Kirk Appraised knows that time is important to everyone, here are some tips you can do to hasten the process on any appraisals ordered from Kirk Appraised.

Are you ordering appraisals online?
When you order online, you automatically receive e-mail confirmations 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 the order was received.
Complete and accurate subject property information is crucial.
Having just one number incorrect on the street address can really add unnecessary time to an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name is good information to pass long with your request. Even a list of recent area sales is welcome — remember, however, that professional appraisers are lawfully required to do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may be different from yours.

If you have any questions about your property or a job we're working on for you, feel free to call us at

Tell us up front of the property's distinct features.
It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter house. 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 features of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition built on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's prone to flooding. While these are things that we'd find out on our own, knowing them early on will likely make your report arrive faster.
Does the homeowner know what to expect?
Confirming an appointment with the homeowner can be one of the most tedious tasks in the appraisal process. Many current homeowners are justifiably apprehensive with the thought a stranger wants to come in their house, look around, and make abundant notes. Some think they need to make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by, thinking that will increase the value. So they reschedule the inspection until the house is cleaned.

Coming directly from you -- a person they have been working with on their loan -- some knowledge 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 shorten the appraisal inspection time. I encourage you to point your clients to our website, where we have multiple pages of useful information for homeowners as well as others regarding the appraisal process. Tell them to call us if they want to become familiar with the staff and our services. And tell them it's in their interest to set the appointment as quickly as possible!
Are you using our website as a resource to verify 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 faster or easier way to keep track of your report's status.