Some Steps to Quicker Turn Times

Appraising is a constantly changing profession. Regularly, it seems, appraisers are asked to supply more information or have steps added to their process. All to guarantee their client gets the best data possible. In order to stay current with the always changing requirements, Pacific Crest Appraisals LLC is continuously testing new tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for our clients. At Pacific Crest Appraisals LLC we know that time is important to everybody, so we've listed some tips you can do to reduce turn times on any appraisals you order with Pacific Crest Appraisals LLC.

Are you ordering appraisals online?: With online ordering, you receive automatic e-mail notifications that the order 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 received the order.
Verify that the subject property data is accurate and complete.: There's nothing like being one number off on the street address to unnecessarily slow down an appraisal assignment. Unique identifiers like a tax parcel number, plat map number, or subdivision name is great information to include with your request. Even a list of recent sales in the area is welcome — though be advised that professional appraisers must always do their own due diligence on comparable sales, and ours may differ from yours.
Be sure to let us know about the property's distinct features.: Cookie-cutter homes are relatively easy to appraise. Most of an appraiser's time is spent analyzing how differing features 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 characteristics of the home or surrounding area -- for example, it's had a recent addition put on, it's subject to zoning restrictions, it's predisposed to flooding. While these are things that we'd find out on our own, knowing them sooner is likely to make your report arrive more quickly.
Does the homeowner know what to expect?: Setting an inspection time and date with the homeowner can be one of the most inefficient steps in the appraisal process. Some current homeowners are understandably apprehensive with the fact an outsider wants to come in their home, look around, and make lots of notes. Under the belief that it will make the house appraise higher, some homeowners think they have to make the place spotless before the inspection. And will choose to not schedule the appraisal inspection until it is cleaned.

Hearing it directly from you -- a person they've been working with on their loan -- some information about the appraisal process, who we are, and especially that dusting and polishing won't increase their home's value one little bit, and can go a long way toward trimming the time it takes to inspect a home. I encourage you to point them to this website, where we have lots of pages of helpful information for homeowners as well as others describing the appraisal process. Have them call us if they want to meet the staff and learn more about our services. And tell them it's in their interest to set the appointment without delay!
Use our website to track 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 instantly to you online. It's never been easier to track the status of your report.