A Few Suggestions for Quicker Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. Commonly, it seems, appraisers are asked to present extra information or have steps added to their data gathering. They do this extra work to ensure the end user receives the best data possible. In order to keep up with the constantly changing requirements, Curtis Bay Area Appraisals is constantly seeking new tools and improving processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our customers. At Curtis Bay Area Appraisals we know that time is important to everybody, so here are some tips you can do to hasten the process on any appraisals ordered with Curtis Bay Area Appraisals.

Order your appraisals on the Internet.: With online ordering, you receive automatic e-mail acknowledgements that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip alone will save the most time! We don't have to manually enter information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether the order was received.
Are you providing complete and accurate information about the subject property?: Being just one number off on the street address can really unnecessarily delay 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 area sales is welcome — though be advised that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours might differ from yours.
Tell us up front of the property's unique details.: 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 features of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition put on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's prone 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.
Let the homeowner know what to expect.: Setting an appointment with the homeowner can be one of the most inefficient steps in the appraisal process. Some current homeowners are clearly apprehensive with the fact a stranger wants to come in their home, look around, and take abundant notes. Some think they have to make the place spotless before the appraisal inspection, with the belief that will increase the appraised value. And will delay the inspection until they can get around to cleaning.

Coming from you -- someone they are working with on their loan -- some information 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 decrease the appraisal inspection time. Our website has multiple pages of useful information about the appraisal process for homeowners. Please feel free to share it with your customers. Tell them to call us if they want to familiarize themselves with the staff and our services. Remind them it benefits them to set the appointment soon!
Use our website to follow your report's status.: No more phone and fax tag. Up-to-the-minute status updates are available online, anytime, 24/7. As each important milestone in an assignment is completed, that information can be viewed instantly online. It's never been faster to keep track of the status of your report.