A Few Tips for Faster Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. Regularly, it seems, appraisers are asked to include more information or have steps added to their appraisal process. All to ensure their client receives the best information to be had. To keep up with the continuously changing requirements, Crane Appraisal Service is constantly researching new tools and tweaking processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our customers. Since Crane Appraisal Service knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed some items you can do to accelerate the process on any appraisals ordered with Crane Appraisal Service.

Are you ordering appraisals online?: When you order online, you automatically get e-mail acknowledgements that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip alone will save the most time! No longer do we have to retype information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether we got the order.
Complete and accurate subject property data is crucial.: Being just one number off on the street address can really unnecessarily slow down 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 sales in the area 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.
Tell us up front of the property's distinct elements.: Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how elements 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 features of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition constructed, 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 sooner makes your report arrive more quickly.
Are you making the occupants of the home aware of what to expect?: Setting an inspection time and date with the homeowner can be one of the most tedious parts in the appraisal process. It's understandable for a homeowner to be uncomfortable with a stranger inspecting every corner of their home, taking photos, and making abundant notes. A common belief is that they should make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by, with the notion that will increase the value. And will delay the appointment until they can get around to cleaning.

Hearing from you -- a person they have been working with on their loan -- some information about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't change their home's value one little bit, and likely decrease the appraisal inspection time. I encourage you to point your customers to our website, where we have lots of pages of useful information for homeowners and others about the appraisal process. Advise them to call us if they want to become familiar with our staff and services. And tell them it's to their benefit to set the appointment soon!
Our website is a great resource for tracking the status of your report.: 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 can be viewed instantly online. There's no faster or easier way to keep track of your report's status.