Do you call borrower for exterior appraisal?

[sputnam]

Normally I don't call but to get better idea of condition inside and any additional information, I think I should. Client did provide name and phone number of owner.
Just curious do my peers call and ask information to the borrower for 2055 Exterior.

If I'm getting out of the car and walking around on the property... I call them. If I'm only observing from the public street... No.

 

[Fernando]

If I'm getting out of the car and walking around on the property... I call them. If I'm only observing from the public street... No.

During Covid when I couldn't go inside and clients were asking for exterior appraisals, I might call the owner and let them know I'll be coming at a certain time and I'll be walking around the property.
I would peek into the windows and see quality and condition.
One time, occupant opened front door and said I could come in. I declined saying peeking through window is sufficient. If I step inside the home, it wouldn't be an exterior appraisal.

Another time, I peeked from the gate and saw this possible ADU. Ugh.
Since I didn't find any records of an exterior detached structure in the yard, I didn't mention it since it's an exterior from the street, right?
Later owner called me upset that I didn't include the ADU in the back. I told him it was an exterior appraiser and how was I suppose to know there was an ADU. Never heard from him again.

 

[SunnyDays]

Normally I don't call but to get better idea of condition inside and any additional information, I think I should. Client did provide name and phone number of owner.
Just curious do my peers call and ask information to the borrower for 2055 Exterior.

I always call for an exterior inspection. Unless there is a current( within 3 months) MLS listing with sufficient photos showing it was a recently fully remodel, you just don't know if there are updates. I believe for credible results, it requires a call. I have turned down many 2055 assignments on the bases of no homeowner contact or lack of a current MLS that would serve as a current reliable bases of condition, bedroom count, and bathroom count. When I am unable to speak with homeowner, I inform the lender the best path forward is to order an interior inspection as I believe limited data will not yield a credible result.

 

[Tom4value]

I would first ask the client if it is ok. Most of the time it is an exterior only because the desktop underwriter called for it and it is just convenient for the borrower and lender so the answer is yes. However, there may be times where either the owner doesn’t know an appraisal is being done or the owner and client have an adversarial relationship (pre-foreclosure) and they don’t want you calling.

On the rare times I do call, it is always for factual information, I.e., “please confirm the amount of bathrooms” or, “is that a pool I see in the backyard?”. I never ask opinion questions like condition or quality. I would rather disclose unknowns due to the scope of assignment then rely on a biased opinion.

 

[Fernando]

Thanks for all your replies.
Usually when data is available like from MLS, no need to call.
In my case no info from MLS and permits thus can't really tell.
And when I got there, there were deferred maintenance and yet maybe some updates.
I called the owner not just about the condition.
Condition was a decoy to the real issue I had with subject.
After talking with owner in an indirect way about my concern, I'm able to understand the pathway to complete this appraisal.
King Appraiser does it again and so creative thinking outside the box.
UAD 1, 2, or 3.6 can't do what I do.
Human appraiser especially me sees the problem and dealt with it without all the extraneous details required by UAD 3.6.