5 Steps to Swifter Turn Times

The appraisal profession is evolving constantly. Regularly, it seems, appraisers are asked to offer more information or have steps added to their process. All to ensure their client has the best data to be had. To stay current with the always changing requirements, Grantham Appraisal & Realty, Inc. is constantly seeking new tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for you. At Grantham Appraisal & Realty, Inc. we know that time is important to everybody, so we've listed a handful of items you can do to lower turn times on any appraisals ordered from Grantham Appraisal & Realty, Inc..

Order your appraisals electronically.: By ordering online, you get automatic e-mail confirmations that the assignment was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This tip single-handedly will save the most time! We don't have to retype information from a fax, and you don't have to wonder whether we got the request.
Are you providing complete and accurate data about the subject property?: Being just one number off on the street address can really unnecessarily interrupt an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name is great information to include with the request. 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 be different from yours.
Let us know up front of the property's distinct elements.: Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how differing elements contribute to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. When you order your report, let us know if there are unique details of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition constructed, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's susceptible to flooding. While these are things that we'll find out on our own, knowing them as early as possible is likely to make your report arrive more quickly.
Be sure the occupants know the the plan.: One of the most inefficient steps of the appraisal process is confirming an inspection date with the current homeowner. We understand that a homeowner may be uneasy with an unknown person inspecting every corner of their home, taking photos, and making abundant notes. Many commonly think they ought to make the place spotless before the inspection, with the belief that will make the house appraise for more money. So they delay the appointment until it is cleaned.

Coming directly from you -- a person they have been working with on their loan -- a little information about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't make it more likely their sale will close, and likely shorten the appraisal inspection time. Please feel free to point your clients to this website, where we have several pages of helpful information for homeowners and others describing the appraisal process. Tell them to call us if they want to become familiar with the staff and our services. And tell them it's to their advantage to set the appointment as quickly as possible!
Our website is a great resource for tracking the status of your report.: 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 instantly to you online. It's never been faster and easier to track the status of your report.