Five Suggestions for Faster Turn Times

The appraisal profession is continuously evolving. Often, it seems, appraisers are asked to present more information or have steps added to their appraisal process. All of this is to guarantee the end user gets the best information available. To keep up with the constantly changing requirements, Cedar Creek Appraisal is continuously researching new tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our clients. At Cedar Creek Appraisal we know that time is important to everybody, so here are some things you can do to decrease turn times whenever you order an appraisal from Cedar Creek Appraisal.

Are you ordering appraisals online?: When you order online, you automatically get e-mail confirmations 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 manually enter information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether the order was received.
Are you providing complete and accurate data about the subject property?: There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to 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 are lawfully required to do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.
Be sure to let us know about the property's distinct details.: Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how details unique to a property 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 elements of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an 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 makes your report arrive sooner.
Set proper expectations with the homeowner.: One of the most inefficient tasks of the appraisal process is setting an inspection date with the occupants of the home. We understand that a homeowner may be apprehensive with a stranger inspecting every corner of their home, taking pictures, and making lots of notes. Some think they should make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by, with the belief that will increase the value. And will reschedule the appointment until they can get around to cleaning.

Hearing from you -- a person they are working with on their loan -- some knowledge 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 shorten the time it takes to inspect a home. Our website has multiple pages of relevant information about the appraisal process for homeowners. Please feel free to share it with your clients. Encourage them to call us if they want to meet the staff and learn more about our services. And tell them it's to their advantage to set the appointment as soon as possible!
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. It's never been easier and faster to track the status of your report.