Some Steps to Quicker Turn Times

The appraisal profession is continuously evolving. Every year, it seems, appraisers are asked to present additional information or have steps added to their process. All of this is to ensure the end user has the best information to be had. To stay current with the constantly changing requirements, Crest Appraisal Services is constantly testing additional tools and improving processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. At Crest Appraisal Services we know that time is important to everybody, so we've listed a couple of things you can do to trim turn times on any appraisals ordered with Crest Appraisal Services.

Order your appraisals on the Internet.: By ordering online, you automatically receive e-mail acknowledgements that the request was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip alone will save the most time! No longer do we have to re-key information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether we got the order.
Complete and accurate subject property information is essential.: 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 good information to pass long with the request. Even a list of recent sales in the area is welcome — remember, however, that professional appraisers are lawfully required to do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.
Are you telling us up front any characteristics of the property that might make it distinct?: Cookie-cutter houses are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how unique characteristics add 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 characteristics 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. While these are things that we would find out on our own, knowing them early on is likely to make your report arrive sooner.
Do the occupants know what to expect?: Confirming an appointment with the homeowner can be one of the most time consuming steps in the appraisal process. It's understandable for a homeowner to be apprehensive with a stranger looking in every square foot of their home, taking pictures, and making abundant notes. Under the belief that it will increase the value, some homeowners believe they have to make the place spotless before the appraisal inspection. So they put off the inspection until they have cleaned.

Coming directly from you -- someone they are working with on their loan -- some 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 likely decrease the appraisal inspection time. Our website has numerous pages of useful information about the appraisal process for homeowners. I encourage you to share it with your customers. Have them call us if they want to familiarize themselves with the staff and our services. Remind them it's to their benefit to set the appointment quickly!
Easily track the status of your report on our website.: 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 can be viewed instantly online. There's no faster or easier way to keep track of the status of your report.