Some Tips for Quicker Turn Times

The appraisal profession is constantly evolving. Commonly, it seems, appraisers are asked to supply extra information or have steps added to their data gathering. All to ensure their client receives the best data available. To stay current with the always changing requirements, Crescent Appraisal Group, Inc. is continuously testing additional tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our clients. At Crescent Appraisal Group, Inc. we know that time is important to everybody, so we've listed some items you can do to lower turn times on any appraisals you order from Crescent Appraisal Group, Inc..

Are you ordering appraisals online?: When you order online, you receive automatic e-mail acknowledgements 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 nor will you wonder whether the order was received.
Confirm that the subject property information is accurate and complete.: There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to unnecessarily slow down an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name is helpful information to pass long with the assignment. Even a list of recent area sales is welcome — remember, however, that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may be different from yours.
Tell us up front of the property's distinct details.: Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how differing features contribute 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 constructed, it's subject to zoning restrictions, 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 earlier.
Set proper expectations with the homeowner.: One of the most time consuming steps of the appraisal process is setting an inspection date with the current homeowner. It's understandable for a homeowner to be apprehensive with an outsider looking in every corner of their home, taking photos, and making abundant notes. One common belief is that they have to make the place spotless before the inspection, under the impression that will make the house appraise for more money. So they put off the appointment until the house is cleaned.

Coming directly from you -- a person they've been working with on their loan -- a little bit about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't increase their home's value one little bit, and can decrease the appraisal inspection time. Our website has lots of pages of relevant information about the appraisal process for homeowners. I encourage you to share it with your clients. Tell them to call us if they want to meet the staff and learn more about our services. Remind them it benefits them to set the appointment without delay!
Use our website to keep tabs on your report's status.: 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 each important milestone in an assignment is completed, that information can be viewed instantly online. It's never been easier to keep track of your report's status.