5 Suggestions for Shorter Turn Times

The appraisal profession is continuously evolving. Every year, it seems, appraisers are asked to include additional information or have steps added to their research. All to ensure their client gets the best information possible. To keep up with the continuously changing requirements, Canadian National Appraisers is constantly seeking new tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. Since Canadian National Appraisers knows that time is important to everyone, here are some items you can do to lessen turn times on any appraisals you order from Canadian National Appraisers.

Are you ordering appraisals online?: When you order online, you automatically get e-mail acknowledgements that the request was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip single-handedly will save the most time! No longer do we have to retype information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether we received the order.
Complete and accurate subject property data is essential.: There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to add unnecessary time to an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name are good data to pass long with your assignment. We even welcome lists of recent sales from the area — remember, however, that professional appraisers are lawfully required to do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may be different from yours.
Tell us up front of the property's distinct details.: Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. What takes time is analyzing how features unique to a property add to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. Let us know up front when ordering your report if there are unique details of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition constructed, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's predisposed to flooding. These are things we'd find out on our own anyway, and knowing them early on makes your report arrive more quickly.
Set proper expectations with the homeowner.: One of the most tedious parts of the appraisal process is confirming an appointment with the current homeowner. We understand that a homeowner may be uncomfortable with a stranger looking in every square foot of their home, taking pictures, and making numerous notes. Thinking that it will increase the appraised value, a few homeowners feel they have to make the place spotless before the inspection. And will reschedule the inspection until the house is cleaned.

Coming from you -- the person they've been working with on their loan -- a little bit about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't affect their home's value one little bit, and can decrease the appraisal inspection time. Our website has numerous pages of useful information about the appraisal process for homeowners. Please feel free to share it with your customers. They can even call us if they want to familiarize themselves with the staff and our services. Remind them it's in their interest to set the appointment without delay!
Easily follow the status of your report on our website.: 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 available to you online. There's no faster way to track your report's status.