A Few Tips for Quicker Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. Commonly, it seems, appraisers are asked to include extra information or have steps added to their research - all to ensure their client is presented with the best data that can be achieved. To stay current with the continuously changing requirements, Citiwide Appraisal is constantly researching new tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. At Citiwide Appraisal we know that time is important to everybody, so we've listed some items you can do to hasten the process on any appraisals ordered from Citiwide Appraisal:

  1. Are you ordering appraisals online? When you order online, you automatically receive e-mail confirmations 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 re-key information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether the order was received.

  2. Complete and accurate subject property information is essential. Having just one number incorrect on the street address can really 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 — though be advised that professional appraisers are lawfully required to do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.

    3. If you have any questions about your property or an assignment we're working on for you, you're always free to call us at 8165294694

  3. Be sure to let us know about the property's distinct details. Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how features unique to a property 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 characteristics of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition constructed, it's subject to zoning restrictions, and it's predisposed to flooding. While these are things that we'd find out on our own, knowing them as soon as possible will likely make your report arrive more quickly.

  4. What are you doing to make the occupants of the home aware of what to expect? Setting an inspection time and date with the homeowner can be one of the most inefficient parts in the appraisal process. We understand that a homeowner may be uncomfortable with an unknown person looking in every corner of their home, taking pictures, and making abundant notes. With the Notion that it will make the house appraise for more money, some homeowners think they need to make the place spotless before the appraisal inspection and will reschedule the appointment until they can get around to cleaning.

    Hearing it directly from you -- a trusted party with whom they already have a business relationship -- a little info about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't affect their home's value one bit, will help move the process along for everyone. Our website has lots of 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 our staff and learn more about our services. Remind them it's to their advantage to set the appointment as soon as possible!

  5. Our website is a great resource for following the status of your report. 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 easier and faster to track your report's status.