5 Tips for Quicker Turn Times

Appraising is an always changing profession. Every year, it seems, appraisers are asked to include additional information or have steps added to their process. All of this is to ensure the end user is presented with the best data to be had. In order to keep up with the always changing requirements, Crest Appraisal Services is continuously seeking additional tools and tweaking processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our clients. Since Crest Appraisal Services knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed some tips you can do to accelerate the process on any appraisals you order from Crest Appraisal Services.

Are you ordering appraisals online?: By ordering online, you get automatic e-mail acknowledgements that the order 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 retype information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether we received the order.
Are you providing complete and accurate data about the subject property?: Having just one number incorrect on the street address can really add unnecessary time to an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name is good information to pass long with your assignment. We even welcome lists of recent sales in the area — remember, however, that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours might differ from yours.
Be sure to tell us about the unique characteristics of this property.: It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter home. What takes time is analyzing how features unique to a property 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 had a recent addition constructed, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's prone to flooding. While these are things that we will find out on our own, knowing them as soon as possible makes your report arrive more quickly.
Are you making the homeowner of the home aware of what to expect?: Confirming an inspection time and date with the homeowner can be one of the most tedious steps in the appraisal process. It's understandable for a homeowner to be uneasy with an unknown person looking in every corner of their home, taking photos, and making lots of notes. A common belief is that they have to make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by, believing that will increase the appraised value. So they put off the inspection until the house is cleaned.

Hearing it directly from you -- a person they have been working with on their loan -- some 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 shorten the appraisal inspection time. Our website has several pages of useful information about the appraisal process for homeowners. I encourage you to share it with your customers. Encourage them to call us if they want to meet the staff and learn more about our services. And tell them it benefits them to set the appointment quickly!
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 we complete each important milestone in an assignment, that information is instantly available to you online. It's never been easier and faster to keep track of your report's status.