Can Google Street View save me the trip?

[Eli Weiss]

I have a drive-by appraisal for a condo in New York City, there are plenty of hi-res photos of the hi-rise subject building and comps available online, a drive-by will not tell me the condition of the subject, being that its located in a building, I know the area and the conditions of the area well, and I can even walk around the surrounding area with Google Street View, and I can capture a perfect Street View photo of the street, so before I ask the client, I wonder if this is ethical since its a "drive-by" and not a "desktop"....

Can I go green on this one, for the environments sake? :icon_mrgreen:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=...p=1,30.548556218999465,,0,-14.844127038380654

 

[LordofTexas]

Use your own judgement.

My saying is: "Let your conscience be your guide. If you don't have one, you're going nowhere."

 

[Mztk1]

It depends on your scope of work. But going does seem like a waste of time.

 

[Tony V]

Eli....

Please read the preprinted (Form # 2095 March 2005) Scope of Work, also read Appraiser Certification #2 and I think you will find your answers..

 

[Eli Weiss]

It depends on your scope of work. But going does seem like a waste of time.

A waste of time and precious gasoline...

 

[Mike Kennedy]

Negotiate SOW with Client.

 

[TC]

How old are those photos?

TC

 

[Dennis J. Black ASA IFAS]

Extraordinary Assumption that the Google image accurately reflects the current situation.

 

[Eli Weiss]

Tony, I'm aware of that, but those comments were created for a 2055, and then canned into the 1075.
Now where a 2055 drive-by will actually tell you the condition of the subject property, a drive-by on a hi-rise condominium unit will tell you the condition of the building/project and not the subject property.

I had a similar situation two months ago, when I received a order for a condo drive-by, in a building that I have done a full inspection on an other unit a month prior. I didn't waste my time on this one....

 

[Eli Weiss]

Extraordinary Assumption that the Google image accurately reflects the current situation.

What do you mean by situation? external conditions?

How old are those photos?

TC

Google Street View? Based on my car that is parked in front of my house it was done less then a year ago, it seems like somewhere in September 07.