5 Hints for Quicker Turn Times

The appraisal profession is evolving continuously. On a regular basis, it seems, appraisers are asked to supply more information or have steps added to their process. All to guarantee their client gets the best information possible. In order to keep up with the always changing requirements, Cantus Appraisal Services is constantly seeking new tools and tweaking processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for in less time. At Cantus Appraisal Services we know that time is important to everybody, so we've listed some things you can do to lessen turn times when you order an appraisal from Cantus Appraisal Services.

Always order your appraisals electronically.: When you order online, you receive automatic e-mail notifications that the request was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. Ordering online is the single biggest time saver available to both of us! We don't have to manually enter 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?: 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. 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 might differ from yours.
Let us know up front of the property's distinct features.: Cookie-cutter houses are relatively easy to appraise. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how unique characteristics 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 characteristics of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition constructed, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's predisposed to flooding. These are things we will find out on our own anyway, and knowing them as early as possible will likely make your report arrive sooner.
Be sure the occupants know the the plan.: One of the most inefficient parts of the appraisal process is confirming an inspection date with the occupants of the home. We understand that a homeowner may be apprehensive with a stranger inspecting every corner of their home, taking photos, and making lots of notes. One common belief is that they need to make the place spotless before the inspection, under the impression that will increase the value. So they put off the inspection until it is cleaned.

Hearing from you -- someone they've been working with on their loan -- a little bit 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 time it takes to inspect a home. Our website has lots of pages of useful information about the appraisal process for homeowners. I encourage you to share it with your clients. Have them call us if they want to meet our staff and learn more about our services. And tell them it's to their advantage to set the appointment without delay!
Are you using our website as a resource to follow 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 available instantly to you online. It's never been easier and faster to track the status of your report.