comp pictures

[Tim The Enchanter]

Don't you wish the real estate agents would tell buyers that they're going to see appraisers coming by and doing driveby shootings after close of escrow? Don't guess that will ever happen.

I usually try to shoot fast and leave, although never tried to do it without actually stopping the car. Hey Ben, do you hold the camera in front of your face while driving not stopping, or how do you frame the shot? I don't get that part. Use the display on the back of the digicam? Use a passenger to shoot it? Or, just a blurry pic? :?

I've tried doing it using my bike, but motorcycles tend to be not too stealthy (even with quiet pipes) (OK it's red!). On the other hand, if they don't like it I can make a fast getaway, unlike the appliance-like Toyota.

Taking pics of them as they walk towards me, that I like. Heard a story (urban legend?) of appraiser got punched by a doctor for taking the photo. Deep pockets for the lawyers to fish in. Lucky it was a doctor. :lol:

Shooting from a block away doesn't work too good for me in most areas, be they city blocks or twisty road hillside areas. Just can't see it from that far away. Usually if someone is out front I'll try to go around and shoot the other comps then come back, hope they're gone. Or get a tree or something between me and them you can't see each other, then snap snap, grin grin, wink wink.

Only a few times has someone said or done anything when they did see me. The worst was a guy appeared from nowhere in his car. Turned out when I looked over the pics, he came from the second to last comp to be shot. But I have no idea if he was in the car or looking out the window of the hosue, never saw him. On the last comp photo shoot, he appeared, I made a U turn to get the pic out the drivers window, and when he U turned also, I got the idea he was following me. I went to the freeway, guy behind me at the red light. He gunned it on green and got in front of me then drove up next to me on the freeway. I'm freaking out, almost changed lanes into somebody else. Then he's making picture taking motions at me, like charades. I shrugged my shoulders, like so yeah?, I took a pic so what?. A little farther along, I pulled over to the side to pull out a biz card for him, but he kept going and took the next exit. I then proceeded to haul *** out of there. Thought about sending the lunatic a letter, (since I knew his address :twisted: ) to clue him in, but didn't bother. Who knows what he was thinking. :?

This wasn't even in a "rough" neighborhood, just a regular middle/working class one. Sometimes wish I was invisible or had a hidden "spy" cam so they could look at me all they want and never see the cam.

Long post I know, but this topic has come up plenty of times trying to explain some of what I do to people. One of the "hazards" of appraising. :roll:

 

[Ben Vukicevich SRA]

Lee,

It's easy if you have a Mavica because there's an LCD on the back. Left hand on the wheel, right hand on the button. Put the camera in the middle of the window as you drive up, quick look at the LCD and push the button. No blurry photos that way. You get the hang of it pretty quick. If you're "iffy" about the photo, you can flip the playback switch and check it out as you drive away or get further down the street.

Speaking of a sneaky digital camera, years ago I think it was Ricoh, had a carmera with a detachable lens on a wire. That would be cool, you could sit in the car, hold up the little lens in your hand that no one could see, frame the photo on the camera body in the car and snap away. No one would have a clue.

No bikes for me on appraisals-too many crazies on the road. The last one I had was a Husqvarna 430WR-trees I don't mind.

Ben

 

[Dee Dee]

Another thought...I always try to avoid taking comp photos during times when the kids are going or coming home from school. Not just because the parents are more likely to be out and about as well, but also because only about half of the little stinkers bother looking first before dashing out into the street! Made a personal decision that it's a bad mix if I'm driving and looking for addresses or glancing at paperwork, certainly not worth the risk if it can be avoided.

 

[Randy Beigh]

Raymond

"What do you usually do if owner ask you to go away or ask you not to take pictures."

I would do what the owner says as no photo is worth getting shot at or taking the time to talk with police.

"Go back to find other suitable comps?"

I would assume you have already chosen the best sales and I see no reason to select inferior comps over photos.

"Put MLS picture (if available) on the report?"

MLS photos are acceptable, but disclose that you used them.

"No picture for that comp?"

Also acceptable. If there was no MLS photo, it is necessary. Again, disclose why.

We do the same thing for gated or no trespassing properties. Your life and limb are not worth a photo. Protect yourself.
[/quote]

 

[AC King]

When I first began appraising residential properties in 1985, I had similar problems. I invested in magnetic signs for my vehicle that reflect my Company Name, Appraisal Services, and the telephone number. That one action has not only stopped most owners from asking me what I am doing, but it has also generated business.

When an owner does confront me now, I explain to them that what I am doing is what some other appraiser did when they bought their house. I take that opportunity to ask them specifics about their property and am able to ascertain data that I would not ordinarily get from other sources. I also explain that they will have appraisers taking photos of their property for a minimum of six months after they closed the sale. I find that most of the owners are more than willing to tell me about their property and the GOOD DEAL THEY GOT.

Being cordial and informative helps the owners to understand and also provides good public relations, not only for my company but also for other appraisers that will be taking photos of their property.

You may wish to try the signs. They are very inexpensive and you can write them off on your taxes along with your other business supplies.

 

[Ramona]

If I pull up to a comp, and children are in the yard, I forgo the picture and use one from MRIS...just explain in the report. If adults are in the yard, I stop, grab my card and their realtor listing from the sale, and introduce myself. It's a perfect opportunity to get details about the condition of the home at the time of sale. Haven't had anyone yet who didn't seem to like the opportunity to talk about their home. It does take longer, but worth the extra information/verification. At the end of the chat, I ask permission to take a picture. Not one has refused so far.

 

[BigBlueGA]

I had a camera installed into the door of my Mustang with a 1/4" lens hidden in the emblem on the side of the car.. this is wired to a 5" LCD screen that pops out of my CD Player that replicates the current lens image and the system is controlled from custom buttons that I have installed onto my steering wheel above the cruise control... That way I can drive by and snap my picture without ever turning my head or stopping...

Ok, maybe not, but I can dream, right?

Seriously though, I've gotten the art of driveby photography down pat.. Just cruise relatively slowly with the window down, have your camera turned on and ready to go about 2 houses away, and hold it in your right hand.. as you pass by just raise it quickly, get a somewhat centered view in the viewfinder and snap the picture without ever stopping.. most digital cameras will show the picture you just snapped on the LCD while saving it.. just verify you got it and if you do, you're on your way again.

Of course I only do this on the houses with two cars in the driveway and the front door or blinds wide open.

If there are kids in the yard watching me or the owner is outside I will usually stop, take a business card, give them a quick blurb about real estate appraisal and why I have to take pictures and they are usually pretty cooperative.

And by the way, does anybody else find it ironic that you can enter a completely desolate neighborhood where nobody is home, but you can spot the house you need to snap because it is the one at the end of the street with 15 people in the yard?

 

[Anonymous]

<<once by an irate Mom who thought I was scoping her children.>>

I drove 20 mi. once to take a picture of a rural manf. Home. When I got there a couple of Teenage girls were sunbathing in the front yard. I bit my tongue, whimpered a little bit, and went home. I came back a couple of days later and got the picture sans bikinis. Better waste an hour making two trips than an hour trying to explain to police I wasn't just a dirty old goat taking pix of young girls.
ter

 

[BigBlueGA]

Been there too.. just told them to smile for me...

 

[airphoto]

Can't beat the airplane!