5 Steps to Shorter Turn Times

The appraisal profession is evolving at all times. On a regular basis, it seems, appraisers are asked to provide additional information or have steps added to their process. All of this is to guarantee the end user is presented with the best data to be had. To stay current with the always changing requirements, Appraisals by Kana is constantly researching new tools and improving processes in order to increase efficiency so we can do more work for quickly. At Appraisals by Kana we know that time is important to everybody, so below are a few tips you can do to speed up the process on any appraisals you order with Appraisals by Kana.

Are you ordering appraisals online?
With online ordering, you automatically receive e-mail confirmations that the order was received, and fast, secure .PDF format report delivery. This is the single biggest time saver available to both of us! No longer do we have to manually enter information from a fax, and nor will you wonder whether the order was received.
Verify that the subject property data is accurate and complete.
Being just one number off on the street address can really add unnecessary time to 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. Even a list of recent area sales is welcome — 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.

Feel free to call us at if you have any questions about your property or an assignment we're working on for you.

Are you telling us up front any elements of the property that might make it distinct?
It's relatively easy to appraise a cookie-cutter house. What takes time is analyzing how differing details contribute to or detract from what otherwise would be a property's market value. When ordering your report, let us know if there are unique elements 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 as early as possible is likely to make your report arrive without delay.
Does the homeowner know what to expect?
Confirming an appointment with the homeowner can be one of the most inefficient parts in the appraisal process. Some current homeowners are justifiably uneasy with the fact a stranger wants to come in their house, look around, and make abundant notes. With the belief that it will increase the appraised value, many homeowners feel they should make the place spotless before the inspection. And will delay the appointment until they can get around to cleaning.

Hearing from you -- someone they've been working with on their loan -- some info 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 them to our website, where we have lots of pages of relevant information for homeowners and others regarding the appraisal process. They can even call us if they want to meet the staff and learn more about our services. And tell them it benefits them to set the appointment quickly!
Our website is a great resource for verifying 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 can be viewed instantly online. There's no easier way to keep track of your report's status.