5 Steps to Swifter Turn Times

The appraisal profession is evolving continuously. Often, it seems, appraisers are asked to offer additional information or have steps added to their appraisal process. All to ensure their client receives the best data possible. In order to stay current with the always changing requirements, Crescent Appraisal Group, Inc. is constantly researching additional tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. Since Crescent Appraisal Group, Inc. knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed some tips you can do to accelerate the process whenever you order an appraisal from Crescent Appraisal Group, Inc..

Order your appraisals electronically.: When you order online, you get automatic e-mail acknowledgements that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip alone will save the most time! No longer do we have to retype information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether we got the order.
Are you providing complete and accurate information about the subject property?: There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to add unnecessary time to an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name are great data to include with the request. We even welcome lists of recent sales in the area — though be advised that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.
Let us know up front of the property's distinct elements.: It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter home. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how elements unique to a property add to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. Let us know up front when ordering your report if there are unique features of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition put on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's predisposed to flooding. While these are things that we will find out on our own, knowing them as early as possible will likely make your report arrive faster.
What are you doing to make the homeowner of the home aware of what to expect?: Setting an inspection time and date with the homeowner can be one of the most inefficient parts in the appraisal process. We understand that a homeowner may be uncomfortable with an unknown person inspecting every corner of their home, taking pictures, and making numerous notes. Not uncommonly they think they should make the place spotless before the appraisal inspection, thinking that will increase the value. And will put off the inspection until they can get around to cleaning.

Coming directly from you -- a person 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 affect their home's value one little bit, and can shorten the time it takes to inspect a home. I encourage you to point your clients to our website, where we have lots of pages of relevant information for homeowners and others describing the appraisal process. They can even call us if they want to become familiar with our staff and services. And tell them it benefits them to set the appointment promptly!
Our website is a great resource for verifying your report's status.: Phone and fax tag are a thing of the past with up-to-the-minute status updates available online, anytime, 24/7. As each important milestone in an assignment is completed, that information is instantly available to you online. It's never been easier to track the status of your report.