5 Tips for Shorter Turn Times

The appraisal profession is evolving constantly. Regularly, it seems, appraisers are asked to offer additional information or have steps added to their data gathering. They do this additional work to ensure their client is presented with the best information to be had. To keep up with the constantly changing requirements, CMRE Appraisals Inc. is always testing additional tools and tweaking processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for in less time. Since CMRE Appraisals Inc. knows that time is important to everyone, we've listed a handful of things you can do to speed up the process on any appraisals you order from CMRE Appraisals Inc..

Are you ordering appraisals online?: With online ordering, you automatically receive e-mail acknowledgements 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 we received the order.
Confirm that the subject property information is accurate and complete.: Having just one number incorrect 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 from 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.
Let us know up front of the property's distinct characteristics.: Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how unique features 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 elements of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition constructed, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's susceptible to flooding. These are things we'd find out on our own anyway, and knowing them as early as possible is likely to make your report arrive more quickly.
Set proper expectations with the occupants.: One of the most inefficient parts of the appraisal process is confirming an appointment with the occupants of the home. Some current homeowners are justifiably apprehensive with the notion an outsider wants to come in their home, look around, and take lots of notes. A common belief is that they ought to make the place spotless before the appraisal inspection, thinking that will make the house appraise for more money. And will reschedule the inspection until they can get around to cleaning.

Coming directly from you -- someone they have been working with on their loan -- a short explanation about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't make it more likely their sale will close, and likely decrease the time it takes to inspect a home. Please feel free to point them to this website, where we have many pages of useful information for homeowners and others regarding the appraisal process. Advise them to call us if they want to meet our staff and learn more about our services. Remind them it's to their advantage to set the appointment without delay!
Why not 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 instantly available to you online. It's never been easier to keep track of your report's status.