5 Hints for Faster Turn Times

The appraisal profession is always evolving. Each year, it seems, appraisers are asked to include extra information or have steps added to their research. All of this is to guarantee their client has the best information to be had. To keep up with the constantly changing requirements, Cantus Appraisal Services is continuously seeking additional tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for in less time. Since Cantus Appraisal Services knows that time is important to everyone, here are some tips you can do to trim turn times on any appraisals you order with Cantus Appraisal Services.

Order your appraisals electronically.: By ordering online, you automatically get e-mail acknowledgements that the order was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. Online ordering is the single biggest time saver available to both of us! No longer do we have to retype information from a fax, and you don't have to 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 must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.
Tell us up front of the property's distinct details.: Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. Most of an appraiser's time is spent 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 features 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. These are things we'll find out on our own anyway, and knowing them early on will likely make your report arrive earlier.
Be sure the homeowner knows the the plan.: Setting an inspection time and date with the homeowner can be one of the most tedious steps in the appraisal process. Many homeowners are clearly uncomfortable with the idea an outsider wants to come in their house, look around, and make lots of notes. A common belief is that they must make the place spotless before the inspection, having the thought that will increase the appraised value. And will delay the appraisal inspection until they have cleaned.

Hearing from you -- a person they have been working with on their loan -- a little info about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't change their home's value one little bit, and can shorten the appraisal inspection time. Our website has several pages of relevant information about the appraisal process for homeowners. Please feel free 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 in their interest to set the appointment soon!
Why not our website as a resource to verify the status of your report?: Why are you still playing phone and fax tag when our website offers up-to-the-minute status updates available online, anytime, 24/7? As each important milestone in an assignment is completed, that information is instantly available to you online. There's no faster way to track your report's status.