Comp Pics

[DanaHaycox]

Hi all,
I'd like to run this by you all...
my former mentor demanded that we take photos of our comps when we go out to do our inspection- it became second nature to us, and not just the ones we were gonna put in columns 1,2,3, ALLLL our comps- didnt mater if there were a dozen comps- we took pics of them all!
My new mentor tells me that the comp picsshould reflect the comp as of the date of sale- which means we can use the MLS, or auditors pics- even if the subject is covered in snow, and our comp has a nice green tree and matching lawn,

what do you guys think/say about this??
i'm on the fence here!

Thanks!
Dana

 

[Kate]

Dana, if you do work for Fannie or use the Fannie form you MUST drive by every comp you use. It is in the Cert you sign.

As for the picture taking......I still say it is a good idea. Do you HAVE to???? No. But if you don't you should comment on the fact that the picture was taken from the MLS. That debate can go on for days.

 

[DB]

I always shoot my own comps ... I have used MLS pictures when access is not available (Rural area ... lots of locked gates) ... so either I guess is acceptable ... but I was taught, and greatly prefer to take my own pictures. The main reason is because it proves the portion of the certification that we sign that says we physically inspected each comparable sale. Hard to argue with a digitally dated photograph.

 

[DB]

Great minds huh Katie ... :rofl:

 

[Pamela Crowley (Florida)]

Dana,

Your former mentor taught you well and you would do well to continue that way.

 

[Ray Miller]

Got to go along with the rest. If it snow covered, I include both the MLS and my picture. then the underwriter gets the full story.

 

[Otis Key]

Question comes to mind. Can you guarantee those pictures in MLS are actually of that house?

I just finished an appraisal and the roof description was flat but the picture was of a pitched roof house. I found an expired listing that showed the flat roof and then took my picture of the same flat roofed house.

Wouldn't look too good if you got reviewed and inserted the wrong picture of a house.

 

[DanaHaycox]

thats right- i forgot about the "inspecting all comps" clause, and didnt think about mislabeled photos.

i've been learning that my old mentor was running an appraisal mill, and wasnt teaching us right, so i've come to question all my old ways- but i'll keep this one in effect!
Thanks, all!!
Dana

 

[Kate]

Originally posted by DanaHaycox@Jan 23 2006, 12:44 AM
thats right- i forgot about the "inspecting all comps" clause, and didnt think about mislabeled photos.

i've been learning that my old mentor was running an appraisal mill, and wasnt teaching us right, so i've come to question all my old ways- but i'll keep this one in effect!
Thanks, all!!
Dana

Don't be so quick to Judge you first mentor.

It sounds like you have some questions to ask you new mentor about driving by the comparables.

Please... Let us know what he/she has to say about that topic.