Five Suggestions for Shorter Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. Every year, it seems, appraisers are asked to present extra information or have steps added to their appraisal process. All to guarantee the end user receives the best data possible. To stay current with the constantly changing requirements, C-H Appraisal Group is always seeking additional tools and improving processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our clients. Since C-H Appraisal Group knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed a handful of things you can do to lower turn times on any appraisals ordered from C-H Appraisal Group.

Order your appraisals online.: With online ordering, you receive automatic e-mail confirmations 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 you don't have to wonder whether the order was received.
Confirm that the subject property data is accurate and complete.: There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to unnecessarily delay an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name are good data to include with your assignment. 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.
Are you letting us know up front any characteristics of the property that might make it distinct?: It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter home. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how elements 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 details 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. While these are things that we'd find out on our own, knowing them sooner is likely to make your report arrive earlier.
Let the homeowner know what to expect.: Setting an inspection time and date with the homeowner can be one of the most tedious parts in the appraisal process. Some current homeowners are understandably uneasy with the fact an outsider wants to come in their house, look around, and take copious notes. Many commonly think they have to make the place spotless before the inspection, having the thought that will make the house appraise higher. So they choose to not schedule the appointment until the house is cleaned.

Coming 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 make it more likely their sale will close, and can decrease the appraisal inspection time. I encourage you to point them to this website, where we have many pages of helpful information for homeowners and others regarding the appraisal process. Have them call us if they want to meet our staff and learn more about our services. Remind them it benefits them to set the appointment soon!
Our website is a great resource for keeping tabs on 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 we complete each important milestone in an assignment, that information is available to you online. It's never been easier to keep track of your report's status.