Why Hire a Technically Advanced Appraiser

We all know them—those professionals with every new gadget that’s hit the market in the past 10 years attached to their belts. Call them geeks, call them nerds, but by all means, give them your appraisal business. Why? I’m glad you asked.

Appraisers are, by far, the most technical agents in the real estate world. By necessity, they have embraced the digital realm at a rapid pace. The appraisal process lends itself to technology, and those who invest in it share the benefits with their customers through faster turn-around times and a higher-quality final report.

Ordering

Let’s start at the beginning. Millions of real estate transactions occur each year, and most require an appraisal. Technology has enabled savvy appraisers to reduce the effort for clients to order, track, and receive appraisals. In the past, communication was done mainly by phone or fax, often followed by additional calls to confirm orders and track progress—disruptive for both client and appraiser.

Modern, tech-savvy appraisers offer better methods. For example, online ordering—through this website or services like a la mode’s net.X network—lets clients place orders and track progress all the way to delivery. No more phone tag!

Data Gathering

The appraisal process is highly data-intensive. Appraisers gather detailed information about the subject property, local market data, and developing trends. Technology has simplified this. Gone are the days of lengthy home inspections followed by time-consuming transcription of field notes.

Today’s digital appraiser uses tools such as a la mode’s Pocket TOTAL to eliminate duplicate data entry. Devices like the Leica Disto Laser meter improve measurement accuracy, while software like Apex’s PocketApex allows sketching on the spot. As a result, appraisers can complete and deliver the report in a fraction of the time previously required.

The Internet has also transformed how appraisers gather general data. Tasks that once took hours—like finding location maps or flood zones—can now be done in a few clicks using services like a la mode’s FloodSource. Address standardization, postal coding, and census tract information are similarly accessible. This means more accurate and complete reports, fewer call-backs, and fewer revisions—saving time and money for everyone.

Report Delivery

After completion, technology also enhances report delivery. Modern appraisers often forego printing and mailing in favor of electronic delivery. By using PDF (Portable Document Format) files, an appraiser can send a complete, multi-page report (including digital photos and maps) via email. Clients can log in to their email systems, retrieve all reports at once, and forward them instantly—saving on postage and courier costs.

More advanced solutions, like a la mode’s net.X network, streamline appraisal management further. The report is checked for adherence to guidelines before final delivery, ensuring sufficient comparables, limiting conditions statements, and other required elements are in place. Clients receive reports that already meet basic criteria, minimizing the need for follow-ups and revisions.

Digital Workfile

Appraisers are required to keep reports on file for five years, in case they need to reference or defend the valuation in legal proceedings. The digital appraiser again leverages technology here. By storing every aspect of the appraisal—notes, sketches, supporting documents, and calculations—together as a digital file, the professional can retrieve it anytime with ease.

Instead of boxes of paper in a warehouse, solutions like a la mode’s Digital Workfile allow for secure, searchable storage (e.g., a la mode’s Vault). Appraisers can instantly find any report from the past five years, giving clients faster access to historical appraisals.

These are just a few examples of how technologically advanced appraisers improve workflows for their customers. Investing in the right software, services, and gadgets enables them to produce reports faster, more efficiently, and with greater accuracy—ultimately saving clients time and money.