Bedroom photos required. Invasion of privacy?

[spgray65]

I agree with setting proper expectations during the appointment set.

You can also tell the person that if there's anything specific they would like not photographed to just speak up and we'll figure out a work around.

Also, if the person is iffy about the photo process, I tell them about the time where I had a house burn down a couple months after I inspected it how the photos I was able to provide (as a 3rd party) really helped the HO out with their insurance agent. At least that way they can see that there's potentially something in it for them for their trouble.

Good advice, thank you.

I just remembered that 6+ months ago I appraised a home where the owners were Hindu and one bedroom was set aside as a "prayer room". The owner asked me to respect their faith and not enter that room. He opened the door for me to look in but did not want me crossing the threshold. In that situation I most certainly wouldn't insist on taking a photo either if requested by the HO.

 

[Green Hornet]

The funny part is that bedrooms usually have photos on the walls or tables. My bedroom photos are usually a shot of the floor.

The main comment from the borrowers is along the lines of "it is so messy, who will se the photo?"

Turn the camera flash off and the HO will not even notice.

 

[Scott R Marshall]

Because you're a robot?

Look, you're reading waaaay too far into the OP.

You are the one who wanted us to comment on whether or not this was some type of invasion of privacy, to which I commented it is not. You are the one who said you agreed that an appraiser shooting a picture of a childs room made you feel uncomfortable both as the appraiser and if you were in the borrowers shoes, to which I commented that I do not think about those things, both as an individual and as an appraiser. You also said the client was requesting this. So decline the order if you don't want to do it.

I personally think that photos of every room should be included in every report, or at a minimum kept in a separtate folder which you will be able to reference. Never know when you may need them to prove that the trashed carpet in the bedroom was not that way when you inspected the home. If its not a client requirement and the owner has a seizure over it, okay I'm not going to rock the boat.

As for the robot comment, if it does not affect the credibility of the report and does not result in excessive additional time without adequate compensation, I see no problem with meeting the request. Not saying that empathy should not play a part but I am hired to be an unbiased eyes and ears for the client hired to perform an appraisal with requirements at times which are expected to be adhered to. If I agree to them, at times I must be apathetic as well. If someone is either hyper-sensitive or just unreasonable and there is no way around it, IMHO, as the client requires it, it is now their call to decide whether it MUST be done or if it can be waived in this instance. The last thing you need is for the client to decide that they do not have to pay you because of breach of contract.

 

[Greg Parker]

Has anyone else noticed that recently more and more client are demanding photos of EVERY bedroom?

I had one homeowner that flat out said to me "do not take a photo of my kid's bedrooms" and I completely agree with him. I don't want some appraiser that I don't know taking pictures of my kids room.

Thoughts?

Really? Provided your kids are not in there, or photos of your kids, what difference does it make. Maybe the kids room is such a mess from poor parenting skills that your borrower did not want you seeing how they let their children live like swine?

 

[Doug Meyer]

I agree with setting proper expectations during the appointment set.

You can also tell the person that if there's anything specific they would like not photographed to just speak up and we'll figure out a work around.

Also, if the person is iffy about the photo process, I tell them about the time where I had a house burn down a couple months after I inspected it how the photos I was able to provide (as a 3rd party) really helped the HO out with their insurance agent. At least that way they can see that there's potentially something in it for them for their trouble.

This is what I also do! I have also saved a person when their home burned down a few months after the appraisal. Also you can take a photo of the closet, room entrance etc that would (may not) show it is a kids room.

 

[TC]

I agree with home-owners that refuse to let me take interior photos. What is next, DNA sample?

 

[Mr Rex]

I agree with home-owners that refuse to let me take interior photos. What is next, DNA sample?

They aren't worried about your defective DNA, they are worried about defective conditions inside the individual rooms in the home. Quite frankly, I wish they would go to all Drive by appraisals and leave the condition stuff to the experts, Home Inspectors.

 

[TC]

They aren't worried about your defective DNA, they are worried about defective conditions inside the individual rooms in the home. Quite frankly, I wish they would go to all Drive by appraisals and leave the condition stuff to the experts, Home Inspectors.

It's well known you are a home inspector, one rung below an appraiser.

I've had more than one HO refuse to let me take photos, the local banks had no problem with that. They trusted me as to the condition. Go figure.

 

[Mr Rex]

It's well known you are a home inspector, one rung below an appraiser.

I've had more than one HO refuse to let me take photos, the local banks had no problem with that. They trusted me as to the condition. Go figure.

Too bad so many peers can't be trusted or we wouldn't be where we are now, huh?

 

[Delta85]

Has anyone else noticed that recently more and more client are demanding photos of EVERY bedroom?

I had one homeowner that flat out said to me "do not take a photo of my kid's bedrooms" and I completely agree with him. I don't want some appraiser that I don't know taking pictures of my kids room.

Thoughts?

If the HO refuses, that's where it ends. Let the client and HO hash it out. In the past when a HO has refused a photo of this or entry to that and it's required I tell them the situation and explain the bank may hold up the appraisal until I can complete their requirements. Then if they still refuse, that's fine with me. Comment and move on.