Some Tips for Shorter Turn Times

The appraisal profession is evolving constantly. On a regular basis, it seems, appraisers are asked to include additional information or have steps added to their process. All of this is to guarantee their client receives the best information. In order to stay current with the continuously changing requirements, Crandall Appraisal Service is continuously testing new tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. At Crandall Appraisal Service we know that time is important to everybody, so we've listed some things you can do to speed up the process on any appraisals ordered with Crandall Appraisal Service:

  1. Are you ordering appraisals online? When you order online, you automatically get e-mail confirmations that the request 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 re-key information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether the order was received.

  2. Are you providing complete and accurate data about the subject property? Being just one number off 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 — though be advised that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may be different from yours.

    3. You're always free to contact us if you have any questions about your property or an appraisal we're working on for you.

  3. Be sure to let us know about the property's distinct features. It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter home. What takes time is analyzing how characteristics 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 details of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition constructed, it's subject to zoning restrictions, and it's susceptible to flooding. While these are things that we will find out on our own, knowing them as soon as possible is likely to make your report arrive sooner.

  4. Does the homeowner know what to expect? Setting an inspection time and date with the homeowner can be one of the most time consuming parts in the appraisal process. It's understandable for a homeowner to be apprehensive with an outsider inspecting every square foot of their home, taking photos, and making abundant notes. One common belief is that they have to make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by, with the belief that will make the house appraise for more money . So they delay the appraisal inspection until the house is cleaned.

    Coming from you -- a trusted party with whom they are already working -- some information about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't increase their home's value one bit, will help move the process along for everyone. Our website has numerous pages of useful information about the appraisal process for homeowners. Please feel free to share it with your clients. Tell them to call us if they want to meet the staff and learn more about our services. Remind them it benefits them to set the appointment without delay!

  5. Easily track the status of your report on our website. 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 keep track of the status of your report.