A Few Hints for Quicker Turn Times

The appraisal profession is constantly evolving. Often, it seems, appraisers are asked to offer additional information or have steps added to their data gathering. All of this is to guarantee the end user gets the best data available. To stay current with the always changing requirements, Certified General Appraisal Service is continuously seeking additional tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for faster. Since Certified General Appraisal Service knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed a handful of things you can do to lower turn times on any appraisals you order from Certified General Appraisal Service.

Are you ordering appraisals online?: With online ordering, you automatically receive e-mail notifications that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. Ordering online is the single biggest time saver available to both of us! No longer do we have to re-key information from a fax, and nor will you 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 interrupt an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name are good data to pass long with the request. Even a list of recent sales from the area is welcome — remember, however, that professional appraisers must always 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 features.: Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how details unique to a property 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 features of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition built on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's susceptible to flooding. While these are things that we would find out on our own, knowing them early on will likely make your report arrive sooner.
Set proper expectations with the homeowner.: Confirming an appointment with the homeowner can be one of the most inefficient tasks in the appraisal process. It's understandable for a homeowner to be uneasy with an unknown person inspecting every square foot of their home, taking photos, and making lots of notes. Having the thought that it will increase the appraised value, some homeowners think they have to make the place spotless before the appraisal inspection. And will choose to not schedule the inspection until they have cleaned.

Coming 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 go a long way toward trimming the time it takes to inspect a home. I encourage you to point your clients to our website, where we have many pages of relevant information for homeowners as well as others about the appraisal process. Encourage them to call us if they want to familiarize themselves with our staff and services. Remind them it benefits them to set the appointment without delay!
Use our website to keep track of your report's status.: No more phone and fax tag. Up-to-the-minute status updates are 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 faster to track the status of your report.