5 Hints for Quicker Turn Times

The appraisal profession is continuously evolving. On a regular basis, it seems, appraisers are asked to offer additional information or have steps added to their data gathering. All to ensure their client gets the best data to be had. In order to keep up with the constantly changing requirements, CMJ Appraisals & Investments LLC is always acquiring new tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for in less time. At CMJ Appraisals & Investments LLC we know that time is important to everybody, so here are some things you can do to accelerate the process on any appraisals you order from CMJ Appraisals & Investments LLC.

Always order your appraisals on the Internet.: When you order online, you automatically receive e-mail acknowledgements that the order was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. Online ordering is the single biggest time saver available to both of us! No longer do we have to re-key information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether the order was received.
Are you providing complete and accurate data about the subject property?: There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to unnecessarily slow down an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name are good data to include with the assignment. Even a list of recent area sales is welcome — remember, however, that professional appraisers are lawfully required to do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours might differ from yours.
Be sure to let us know about the property's distinct characteristics.: Cookie-cutter houses are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how differing features contribute to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. Let us know up front when you order your report if there are unique elements of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition put on, 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 early on will likely make your report arrive faster.
Let the occupants know what to expect.: One of the most time consuming parts of the appraisal process is setting an appointment with the homeowner. We understand that a homeowner may be apprehensive with an outsider looking in every corner of their home, taking pictures, and making numerous notes. Thinking that it will increase the value, some homeowners believe they must make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by. And will put off the appraisal inspection until the house is cleaned.

Coming directly from you -- someone they are working with on their loan -- a little bit about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't increase their home's value one little bit, and likely shorten the time it takes to inspect a home. Our website has lots of pages of relevant information about the appraisal process for homeowners. I encourage you to share it with your customers. They can even call us if they want to meet our staff and learn more about our services. Remind them it benefits them to set the appointment as soon as possible!
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 can be viewed instantly online. There's no faster way to keep track of your report's status.