A Few Tips for Shorter Turn Times

The appraisal profession is evolving continuously. Commonly, it seems, appraisers are asked to supply extra information or have steps added to their process. All of this is to ensure the end user is presented with the best data possible. To stay current with the constantly changing requirements, Cromartie Appraisal Service is constantly researching additional tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for in less time. At Cromartie Appraisal Service we know that time is important to everybody, so below are some items you can do to decrease turn times on any appraisals ordered with Cromartie Appraisal Service.

Are you ordering appraisals online?: When you order online, you receive automatic e-mail confirmations that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This is the single biggest time saver available to both of us! No longer do we have to re-key information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether the order was received.
Confirm that the subject property information is accurate and complete.: Being just one number off on the street address can really add unnecessary time to an appraisal assignment. And if you have a tax parcel number, plat map number, subdivision name or anything else that uniquely identifies the property, please pass it along. 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.
Are you letting us know up front any details of the property that might make it distinct?: Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how features unique to a property contribute to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. When you order your report, let us know if there are unique elements of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition put on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's predisposed to flooding. While these are things that we'll find out on our own, knowing them early on makes your report arrive earlier.
Set proper expectations with the occupants.: Setting an inspection time and date with the homeowner can be one of the most tedious parts in the appraisal process. It's understandable for a homeowner to be uncomfortable with a stranger inspecting every square foot of their home, taking photos, and making numerous notes. Under the belief that it will make the house appraise for more money, some homeowners believe they need to make the place spotless before the inspection. So they put off the appraisal inspection until the house is cleaned.

Coming from you -- someone they are working with on their loan -- a little knowledge about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't increase their home's value one little bit, and likely decrease the appraisal inspection time. Please feel free to point your clients to our website, where we have lots of pages of helpful information for homeowners and others regarding the appraisal process. Have them call us if they want to meet the staff and learn more about our services. Remind them it's in their interest to set the appointment as soon as possible!
Use our website to track 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 can be viewed instantly online. There's no easier or faster way to track your report's status.