A Few Hints for Faster Turn Times

The appraisal profession is evolving at all times. On a regular basis, it seems, appraisers are asked to offer additional information or have steps added to their research. All of this is to guarantee the end user is presented with the best data to be had. In order to stay current with the always changing requirements, Grantham Appraisal & Realty, Inc. is constantly testing new tools and tweaking processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our customers. At Grantham Appraisal & Realty, Inc. we know that time is important to everybody, so we've listed some items you can do to speed up the process on any appraisals you order with Grantham Appraisal & Realty, Inc..

Are you ordering appraisals online?: By ordering 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! No longer do we have to retype information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether the order was received.
Are you providing complete and accurate data about the subject property?: Having just one number incorrect on the street address can really unnecessarily slow down 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 — remember, however, that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may be different from yours.
Tell us up front of the property's unique characteristics.: It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter home. What takes time is analyzing how unique features 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 details of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's recently had an addition built on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's susceptible to flooding. While these are things that we would find out on our own, knowing them as soon as possible is likely to make your report arrive sooner.
Did you 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 tedious parts in the appraisal process. Many homeowners are understandably uncomfortable with the fact a stranger wants to come in their house, look around, and take copious notes. Some think they have to make the place spotless before the appraiser comes by, believing that will make the house appraise for more money. So they put off the appointment until they can get around to cleaning.

Coming directly from you -- the person they have been working with on their loan -- some info 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 go a long way toward trimming the time it takes to inspect a home. Our website has several pages of useful information about the appraisal process for homeowners. Please feel free to share it with your clients. Encourage them to call us if they want to familiarize themselves with our staff and services. And tell them it's to their advantage to set the appointment quickly!
Use our website to keep track of 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 we complete each important milestone in an assignment, that information is instantly available to you online. It's never been easier and faster to track the status of your report.