Freddie: MLS Photo

[DTB]

You seem to be under the joke of an impression that "knowing the market" means that appraisers should know the condition and views and other influences that affect value of every house in every county that we serve. What's even funnier is that you're under the delusion that you know. Let me ask you something. The house that is just 25 houses from you...what color is it?

Color? Who cares what color it is? What I can tell you is that it's a 2 story on a tree lined residential street with no negative external factors, also has a side drive leading to a garage in back.

MLS photos and description will fill in the rest of the gaps, except the ones the agent tells you after the sale. You know, when they are more honest.

I didn't cover counties, 2 dozen zip codes or so. Hope you read the listings more closely than you read AF or basement definitions.

 

[djd09]

What does color have to do with the time of day? Next he will ask for the last names of every third house on your street.

 

[DTB]

What does color have to do with the time of day? Next he will ask for the last names of every third house on your street.

Or what color car is in the driveway

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

The house that is just 25 houses from you...what color is it?

hmmm, that puts it in the next county one direction, in town 4 miles away the other.

 

[Deleted member 128537]

Actually today we have more ways of looking at a property than ever. So I can't see the property from the road. BUT I can see it on the county web site pretty good. I can tell if it has a big pole barn, a big deck, a pool, etc. And i can tell what is around it even better than driving around and looking because trees hide lots of things. The other day I was looking at a comparable sale and was wondering what's around it. Sure enough I went on google maps and on the county web site and there was a big church parking lot. Hmmmm. So I pretty much know many of the negative influences before I even drive by it. At some point the guidelines need to catch up to the technology. When the guidelines were written we didn't have google maps, overhead photos, etc.

 

[bnmappraisal]

The other day I was looking at a comparable sale and was wondering what's around it. Sure enough I went on google maps and on the county web site and there was a big church parking lot. Hmmmm. So I pretty much know many of the negative influences before I even drive by it.

True, and I use similar techniques as well, BUT ... you have to be careful to check the date of said pic on google maps. Some of the ones I see are from 2011 and I'm in an urban/suburban area. Things may have changed in the past 6 yrs - generally no, but I've been surprised before

Don't get me wrong, there's many times I'm NOT happy I'm driving comp pics b/c I know I've been there a hundred times and the MLS pic is more than accurate, but that's what I'm paid (and certify) to do

 

[Deleted member 128537]

True, and I use similar techniques as well, BUT ... you have to be careful to check the date of said pic on google maps. Some of the ones I see are from 2011 and I'm in an urban/suburban area. Things may have changed in the past 6 yrs - generally no, but I've been surprised before

Don't get me wrong, there's many times I'm NOT happy I'm driving comp pics b/c I know I've been there a hundred times and the MLS pic is more than accurate, but that's what I'm paid (and certify) to do

Well aware of that. I'm sorry but if I've been there a 100 times I'm using the MLS photo unless it calls for originals.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

I've been there a 100 times I'm using the MLS photo unless it calls for originals.

Why? I prefer to use my own pictures over MLS. I'm better photographer than most agents bent on avoiding issues affecting value.

 

[Deleted member 128537]

Why? I prefer to use my own pictures over MLS. I'm better photographer than most agents bent on avoiding issues affecting value.

1. Can't see the house from the road due to long driveway or tree cover.
2. MLS photo is a better depiction of the property at time of sale. Ex. House in process of being resided.
3. I have to drive miles to look at a house I've driven by hundreds of times. Waste of time.
4. On busy road (such as highway) and difficult to stop and take photo.
5. It's Saturday and the likelihood of people outside on the yard is very high. I've learned Saturdays are not good days for photo shoots.
6. etc.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

I have to drive miles to look at a house I've driven by hundreds of times. Waste of time.

Why not photograph it the first time?

difficult to stop and take photo.

Sooner or later the traffic clears...

Saturdays are not good days for photo shoots.

Shoot on Monday then.

True, except Sunday ideal for commercial /industrial pix.