5 Suggestions for Swifter Turn Times

Appraising is an always changing profession. On a regular basis, it seems, appraisers are asked to include extra information or have steps added to their process. All of this is to guarantee the end user gets the best data possible. In order to stay current with the constantly changing requirements, Crescent Appraisal Group, Inc. is constantly acquiring additional tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for more efficiently. At Crescent Appraisal Group, Inc. we know that time is important to everybody, so we've listed a few tips you can do to speed up the process on any appraisals you order from Crescent Appraisal Group, Inc..

Order your appraisals on the Internet.: When you order online, you get automatic e-mail notifications that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip single-handedly will save the most time! 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 data is accurate and complete.: Having just one number incorrect 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 — remember, however, that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may be different from yours.
Are you letting us know up front any characteristics of the property that might make it unique?: Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how differing features contribute to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. At the time you order your report, be sure to let us know if there are unique characteristics of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition put on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's prone to flooding. These are things we'll find out on our own anyway, and knowing them as soon as possible is likely to make your report arrive more quickly.
Are you making the occupants of the home aware of what to expect?: One of the most tedious parts of the appraisal process is confirming an appointment with the current homeowner. We understand that a homeowner may be apprehensive with an unknown person inspecting every square foot of their home, taking pictures, and making copious notes. A common belief is that they need to make the place spotless before the inspection, thinking that will increase the appraised value. And will choose to not schedule the appointment until they can get around to cleaning.

Coming directly from you -- the person they've been working with on their loan -- a little knowledge about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't make it more likely their sale will close, and can go a long way toward trimming the time it takes to inspect a home. Please feel free to point your customers to our website, where we have lots of pages of useful information for homeowners as well as others about the appraisal process. Encourage them to call us if they want to become familiar with the staff and our services. And tell them it's in their interest to set the appointment promptly!
Our website is a great resource for tracking the status of your report.: 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 faster way to track your report's status.