Austin Residential Appraisals - Frequently Asked Questions

1. I am about to order an Austin Appraisal. What do I need to do or send to you to get started?

If you are a lender,  Conventional and FHA requests can be placed at our order page or faxed to (512) 249-5025. VA requests are automatically emailed to us from the the VA system. If you wish to fax your request, please send us your company's order form along with a copy of the sale contract and all addendums. Appraisers are required by law to examine & analyze the sales contract if it exists.

If you are ordering an FHA appraisal, we need to have the FHA Case Number to proceed. Contact us when you are ready to get your FHA Case Number and we will advise you of the name and license number of the appraiser who will be handling the assignment.

For new home sale contracts, be sure to include any builder change orders, options, upgrades, etc. If the home is to be built, also include the plans. We will let you know where the plans are to be sent, especially for properties located outside of Austin, Texas.

In all situations, be sure to provide your name and phone number. For Conventional and FHA requests, please be sure to let us know where the completed report is to be sent and to whose attention.  Include your fax number with the request if you need fax services. If you experience problems in sending us your fax, try using a different fax machine in your office. If that doesn't work, call us and we'll be glad to help.

If the property is in a Planned Unit Development (which is usually the case when there are mandatory Homeowners Association fees) please let us know the name of the development, and the dollar amount of the monthly or yearly assessment if you have that information.

If you are an individual (not a lender) seeking appraisal services, click on the "Order an Appraisal" button and select the services and delivery options you need. If you are not sure what you need to do or what type of report or service you need, just contact us by phone, email or fax and we'll discuss your situation and recommend a solution. We return all calls ASAP. You can pay online with your credit card or we can arrange for payment in person. The PayPal system is secure and safe. When you send a payment we are notified by email and given the option to accept your payment. We will not accept your payment in PayPal until we have spoken to you first. If you would rather wait to pay until your report is finished, that's fine. We can email your report as a password protected file for which we will supply your password when payment is complete. When you place an order online we are notified by email and we will contact you shortly. Be sure to give us your name and phone number.

2. The home is under construction (or to be built). How many sets of house plans do I send?

For FHA requests, send one complete set of plans including the builder's certification. For VA requests send 1 complete set of certified plans. VA requires builder and buyer signatures. See your underwriter for details. For Conventional requests send 1 full set of plans.

3. How will I receive my report?

With the exception of VA appraisals, the choice is up to you. If you fax us a request, specify how you want it. If you order online using this web site, access the drop down menu on the "Order Appraisal" page. Scroll down the page and click on the arrow next to "Return Delivery." VA appraisals are uploaded to the VA's eAppraisal repository and you can access them there. This is required by VA.

4. Can I fax the request documents?

You bet! Fax them to (512) 249-5025. But bear in mind that we cannot proceed with the appraisal of a to-be-built home without the plans, which obviously cannot be faxed because of their size.

5. What are your fees and what it is your turnaround time?

Our fees for various types of appraisal services can be found on the "Order Appraisal" page. Scroll down to "Report Desired" then click the arrow to see a drop-down menu.

We know that time is money and you need your appraisal services as fast as possible. Turnaround time depends on present work load and the type or difficulty of the assignment you wish to send. We will make every effort to meet the time frame you request. If you are in a rush, let us know and we will try to help. We are rush job friendly! And if we cannot get the report done in the time frame you need it, we'll let you know immediately before we proceed with your Conventional or FHA order. On time closings are critical to a lender's business. We never leave you hanging!

6. What is the turnaround time and fee for a final inspection?

The fee is currently $100.  Please allow a minimum of 24 hours. We ask that you verify the completion of repairs or construction before placing the inspection request.