Another perspective on comp pics

[jay trotta]

IMHO - taking photo's to earn a living (advertising-to secure additional income) is one thing

taking photo's as "part" of a work process that is required by Federal Regulation is quite another.

Using MLS photo's - in our area you need to be a member of the Board to even access data; ifn yer a member that is part of what Your Fee's are for. When there is a "purchase price" involved you are buying a right of use.

I remember some years back a huge discussion on the issue in regards to photographers and their rights of use and some restrictions or indications of how the photo's could be used.

All n all, if you need or want to use MLS photo's, I don;t think it's a abd thing, as they are actually showing the property as it was, at the time of sale. After all we use everything else thats of History, why not the photo's that depict the property in it's "As Is" condition at the "time of sale" ???

 

[Mike Boyd]

IMHO - taking photo's to earn a living (advertising-to secure additional income) is one thing

taking photo's as "part" of a work process that is required by Federal Regulation is quite another.

Using MLS photo's - in our area you need to be a member of the Board to even access data; ifn yer a member that is part of what Your Fee's are for. When there is a "purchase price" involved you are buying a right of use.

I remember some years back a huge discussion on the issue in regards to photographers and their rights of use and some restrictions or indications of how the photo's could be used.

All n all, if you need or want to use MLS photo's, I don;t think it's a abd thing, as they are actually showing the property as it was, at the time of sale. After all we use everything else thats of History, why not the photo's that depict the property in it's "As Is" condition at the "time of sale" ???

I presume your writing of FHA regulations. I know of no other regs that "require" you to take comp photos. Otherwise, I agree with you. I think many, or even most MLS systems require only membership in MLS with no requirement to join the Board of Realtors. However, our MLS requires written permission to use MLS photos as they consider them to be copywrited.