Some Steps to Faster Turn Times

Appraising is an always changing profession. Often, it seems, appraisers are asked to supply extra information or have steps added to their research. They do this extra work to ensure the end user receives the best data possible. To stay current with the constantly changing requirements, The Cary Group is constantly testing new tools and improving processes to increase efficiency so we can do more work for faster. Since The Cary Group knows that time is important to everyone, here are a couple of things you can do to trim turn times when you order an appraisal from The Cary Group.

Always order your appraisals online.: By ordering online, you automatically receive e-mail notifications that the request 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 you don't have to wonder whether the order was received.
Complete and accurate subject property information is essential.: There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to unnecessarily delay an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name is helpful information to include with your request. Even a list of recent sales from the area is welcome — remember, however, that professional appraisers are lawfully required to do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.
Let us know up front of the property's unique elements.: Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how elements 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 had a recent addition put on, 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 sooner will likely make your report arrive without delay.
Let the occupants know what to expect.: Setting an appointment with the homeowner can be one of the most tedious tasks in the appraisal process. We understand that a homeowner may be uncomfortable with an outsider looking in every square foot of their home, taking photos, and making abundant notes. With the belief that it will increase the appraised value, many homeowners believe they must make the place spotless before the inspection. So they delay the inspection until they can get around to cleaning.

Coming from you -- the person they've been working with on their loan -- some knowledge about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't affect their home's value one little bit, and likely decrease the time it takes to inspect a home. I encourage you to point your clients to this website, where we have several pages of relevant information for homeowners as well as others describing the appraisal process. 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!
Use our website to keep tabs on your report's status.: 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 each important milestone in an assignment is completed, that information is available to you online. There's no faster or easier way to keep track of the status of your report.