Comp photo new requirements

[Cob]

3.6 still requires comp photos. It just doesn’t require an original photo from the appraiser. It just requires a photo that adequately helps the reader understand the adequacy of the comp (my words). That could mean your photo, MLS photo, Assessor’s photo or Google Earth.

It does NOT mean don’t go to the comp! You are still responsible for determining accuracy. If it comes back to you that the comp is adjacent to a toxic waste dump and you didn’t account for it, you can’t claim, “I didn’t have to go there”. It is mainly for if the house is not visible from the street, kids are in the yard or you passed by the house 20 times and know it.

If a comparable sale actually sold and it was adjacent to a toxic dump, then what was the actual effect on marketablity of the property, if it sold from that location, then apparently, not much, I have appraised properties loacted in close proximity to a city dump, hundreds of properties have sold there over the years, with no real differnece in the sales prices as compared to the other properties located farther away.

 

[Cob]

It's 2026, not 1986, years ago, the appraiser taking an actual photo was needed, in 2026, there are TONS of photos available for any property on the Internet, about the only reason to take actual photos of comparable sales is if it's a new construction property.

 

[TerryRohrer]

It's 2026, not 1986, years ago, the appraiser taking an actual photo was needed, in 2026, there are TONS of photos available for any property on the Internet, about the only reason to take actual photos of comparable sales is if it's a new construction property.

Yeah, all of them dated and geotagged, and undoctered.

Its 2026...ever heard of AI? Anyone can buy or rent or make a program to look at those photos and create data regarding condition and quality and materials. Who needs a stinking appraiser?

 

[chad hampton]

The removal of the comp photo requirement had nothing to do with the availability of existing photos online. Remember, you’re dealing with snake oil salesman, so think about why that was removed.

 

[Bob Ipock]

Appraiser friend said one of his clients is not requiring original photos or even driving by the comps on 3.6. Does anyone think that AI will drive the comps? Being a bit snarky

You are signing the report that says you observed the comps. from the street.

 

[DWiley]

You are signing the report that says you observed the comps. from the street.

That is true if one is signing one of the forms used in UAD 2.6.
However, for UAD 3.6 reports there is no such statement.

 

[Cob]

Yeah, all of them dated and geotagged, and undoctered.

Its 2026...ever heard of AI? Anyone can buy or rent or make a program to look at those photos and create data regarding condition and quality and materials. Who needs a stinking appraiser?

You do WHATEVER you want to do, that's YOUR business, use a clip board, paper an pencil for your appraisals if you like, I am NOT talking about A.I., I am talking about REAL photos available on the Internet, you can churn your own butter and make your own clothes if you want, it's all up to you or any individual person how they want to do things. And as far as "Who needs a stinking appraiser?" in my opinion, that's what this ENTIRE 3.6 crap is about, yet TONS of appraisers are lining up, paying a lot of money for classes, getting "ready" for the new changes, etc., people are actually paying money and spending time to basically eventually lose their careers.

Good luck to everyone who is on board with 3.6, to me, this is like training someone who will replace you and your career, I may be 100% wrong, but to me, this isn't going to be good for appraisers, no change like this ever really is, I have no reason to think this change will be any different.

 

[Cob]

You are signing the report that says you observed the comps. from the street.

With 3.6 you aren't signing any such thing, because it's been removed.

 

[Vermonter]

Funny, I remember the outrage when the cert to drive the comps was added, now everyone's upset it's been removed.

The requirement was really unnecessary in my area because most of my comp pics were of trees and driveways without the house in sight. So probably better than half the time I was using MLS photos anyway.

Did have one time when my (best) comp had burned down a day or two before my pic.

 

[Zoe]

I just agent ask me what I would like to drink? I let go of it. I thought about acutally I would prefer sex or cash. I didn't go down that road. She is cute and I am married and not bad looking. I am coming under contract price. With the right price? LOLx

She knows I ain't going to meet contract price. She is going all out. I am using comps she sent the lender.