A Few Suggestions for Swifter Turn Times

The appraisal profession is constantly evolving. Regularly, it seems, appraisers are asked to present more information or have steps added to their data gathering. They do this extra work to ensure their client gets the best data to be had. In order to keep up with the continuously changing requirements, Cantus Appraisal Services is continuously seeking new tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for quickly. At Cantus Appraisal Services we know that time is important to everybody, so we've listed a handful of tips you can do to trim turn times whenever you order an appraisal with Cantus Appraisal Services.

Always order your appraisals electronically.: By ordering online, you automatically get e-mail confirmations 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 request.
Verify that the subject property information is accurate and complete.: 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. We even welcome lists of recent sales from the area — remember, however, that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.
Are you telling us up front any features of the property that might make it unique?: 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. 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 had a recent addition put on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's susceptible to flooding. While these are things that we'll find out on our own, knowing them as soon as possible will likely make your report arrive quicker.
Let the occupants know what to expect.: Confirming an appointment with the homeowner can be one of the most tedious parts in the appraisal process. Some current homeowners are justifiably uneasy with the notion a stranger wants to come in their home, look around, and take lots of notes. One common belief is that they ought to make the place spotless before the inspection, under the impression that will increase the appraised value. So they put off the appraisal inspection until the house is cleaned.

Hearing from you -- someone 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 affect their home's value one little bit, and likely shorten the appraisal inspection time. Our website has several pages of relevant information about the appraisal process for homeowners. I encourage you to share it with your customers. Advise them to call us if they want to meet the staff and learn more about our services. And tell them it's in their interest to set the appointment promptly!
Our website is a great resource for verifying your report's status.: 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 is instantly available to you online. There's no easier way to track your report's status.