MLS Comp Photos WTF!

[Joyce Potts]

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I NEVER said not to driveby the comps. There's a difference.

 

[MDAPPR]

In rare instances I've had a clients that did not want me to not use any MLS photos nor photos of gated driveways without any views of the subject front elevations. I am not going put on my camies and paint my face then scale a fence and trespass just to shoot a photo of the house. Because rock salt hurts!:new_2gunsfiring_v1:

 

[Ken B]

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So what do people think about Virtual Earth Bird's Eye View and Google Street View? From my office chair, I can see what's in a comp's back yard and all the neighboring properties around it as well as the freeway behind it. I can't do all that sitting in my car in front of it.

 

[Joyce Potts]

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Originally Posted by Joyce Potts

Oh yes! With all those high paying AMC fees why can't every appraiser purchase the newest, state of the art laptop and pay all the extra wi-fi fees, etc., so they can provide the most current comparable property photo for every report for every situation.

Anybody who cant calculate GLA off their sketch with a pocket calculator with enough accuracy to qualify potential comparables doesn't deserve an appraiser's license. AND THEY TELL ME I'M ARROGANT?

Ever have a person sitting or standing in front of your comp that wouldn't move? Ever had a photo malfunction? Ever have bad weather or ran out of daylight or the property sat so far back off the street that you had to open a gate or otherwise tresspass on to the property to get a decent photo? HEY THERE BUCKAROO -- NO PEOPLE IN PHOTOS -- It can raise a red flag as to ethnicity and red lining if the loan is declined. I know someone can provide with those Fannie Guidelines.

I love it when there's somebody standing out side of the comp. Great opportunity to confirm the sale and get 1st hand knowledge about anything that may be vague in the MLS description. Bonus!

HEY THERE BUCKAROO -- NOT SO FAST -- NO PEOPLE IN PHOTOS -- BAD IDEA -- It can raise a red falg as to ethnicity and red lining if the loan is declined. I'm sure someone here can provide you with those Fannie Guidelines - or should I just suggest that any appraiser who has never heard of that shouldn't have an appraisal license to begin with?

There are set procedures for circumstances where a useful photo cant be obtained and a MLS photo is used instead. We all know what they are. We do? I also carry two cameras plus my cell phone camera . No chance of not getting a photo that will at least substantiate that I did what I said I did.

In my reviews, I see MLS photos used all the time. In my opinion, those photos are generally the least of the appraisal problem, overall. I'd rather see a well supported, honest, ethical appraisal with a few MLS or tax roll photo short cuts than a complete ***** job with all authentic photos.

I agree, but at the same time.....Even the most dim, poorly trained appraiser can drive by and take a comp photo. I never said NOT to driveby by the comp. You took a big leap! If a person is using a MLS photo, without credit, from a house that's nearby and easily found, it says a great deal about their ethics, and work ethic. If they wont drive around the block and flex their index finger, real analysis of the appraisal problem is, I'm sure, out of the question.

I know, I know -- here it comes.

Glad to know some are so anal about the their work. In meantime, howver, over the last several years UNREGULATED AVM's with no guidelines and no photo were eating your lunch, but I guess you were too busy to notice since you were stopping and chatting with neighbors and making sure that every photo you used met the the letter of the LAW and GUIDELINES. You are to be commended!!

My 25 year old appraiser hat is off to you.

 

[Joyce Potts]

Assume stance.

Pull pin.

Prepare to throw.

THROW!

So what do people think about Virtual Earth Bird's Eye View and Google Street View? From my office chair, I can see what's in a comp's back yard and all the neighboring properties around it as well as the freeway behind it. I can't do all that sitting in my car in front of it.

I'm only going to tel you this one time. Stop posting things that I agree with.

 

[Ken B]

I'm only going to tel you this one time. Stop posting things that I agree with.

Crap...I messed up big this time.

 

[Webbed Feet]

Oh yes! With all those high paying AMC fees why can't every appraiser purchase the newest, state of the art laptop and pay all the extra wi-fi fees, etc., so they can provide the most current comparable property photo for every report for every situation.

<.......snip........>

Golly, that's funny. I have around a 10 year old laptop with only a 20 gig drive on it, and with no WIFI or air card at all, I database over an entire years worth of MLS sales on it complete with all the photos. Cost? No more than my MLS connection and a piece of software I paid for a bunch of years ago.

I really don't think the topic is about why sometimes MLS photos have to be used at all. But we do seem to have a topic that is about appraisers that seem to think admiting to not following the SOW they signed is ok because if they blame it on the fees of today out of AMC's it somehow makes it acceptable.

 

[CANative]

Assume stance.

Pull pin.

Prepare to throw.

THROW!

So what do people think about Virtual Earth Bird's Eye View and Google Street View? From my office chair, I can see what's in a comp's back yard and all the neighboring properties around it as well as the freeway behind it. I can't do all that sitting in my car in front of it.

Try this address in Google Earth or any other similar site. Let me know what you can see.

19051 Spyrock Road, laytonville, ca

 

[Ken B]

Try this address in Google Earth or any other similar site. Let me know what you can see.

19051 Spyrock Road, laytonville, ca

I'm going to need more information to verify the reliability of the search result. How about a tax ID number, property owner name, and/or a legal description.

 

[Joyce Potts]

Golly, that's funny. I have around a 10 year old laptop with only a 20 gig drive on it, and with no WIFI or air card at all, I database over an entire years worth of MLS sales on it complete with all the photos. Cost? No more than my MLS connection and a piece of software I paid for a bunch of years ago.

I really don't think the topic is about why sometimes MLS photos have to be used at all. But we do seem to have a topic that is about appraisers that seem to think admiting to not following the SOW they signed is ok because if they blame it on the fees of today out of AMC's it somehow makes it acceptable.

The local Orlando Regional MLS system has over 25,000 ACTIVE, PENDINGS, WITHDRAWN, EXPIREDS and SOLD w/in the last 6 months.

Unfortunately, I don't live and work in Oregon. But aside from that, are you suggesting if you have that comp in your data base it meets the SOW in the appraisal and didn't drive by it EACH TIME YOU USED IT, you're compliant? If I pay for the MLS photo data base what's really the difference? Or am I loss as usual?