Do you Google......

[redfish]

Do you Google borrowers?

 

[hastalavista]

Do you Google borrowers?

I Google addresses; not borrowers.

 

[Metamorphic]

I'll plug a borrower's name into google if it rings a bell for some reason. I don't do it as a matter of practice.

 

[hastalavista]

I'll plug a borrower's name into google if it rings a bell for some reason. I don't do it as a matter of practice.

Yeah, I do that too.
And I should have been more specific in my first post; I'll Google an address if something seems odd about it (before I bid on a job, I'll GoogleEarth Pro the property to see what it looks like; sometimes, there is something odd about the property... like it looks as if there may be something non-residential going on. In that case, I'll Google the address... and sometimes it confirms that there is more to the property than the house).

 

[J Grant]

Occasionally, on the high profile owner houses I appraise ( not many of those but have doen them)...out of curiosity. Am kind of embarrassed about it but what the heck. I did two homes of major league football players in last several years ( obvious by the trophies and jerseys in their closets even I could figure it out). They both were super nice btw and so where their beautiful wives...very down to earth .

 

[JTip]

I like to google the AMC and especially the rep/csr in the email. Heck, I even Linkedin and Facebook 'em. Helps with negotiations knowing a face to the voice, especially when I know their puppy's name.

The borrower I could care less about as I will be meeting them in person. I appraise the house.

 

[sail143]

Depending on the property I may Google both. It never hurts to know as much as you can about the property before going there. Some owners have very interesting careers, but I never mention my knowledge while I'm there.

 

[Metamorphic]

Occasionally, on the high profile owner houses I appraise ( not many of those but have doen them)...out of curiosity. Am kind of embarrassed about it but what the heck. I did two homes of major league football players in last several years ( obvious by the trophies and jerseys in their closets even I could figure it out). They both were super nice btw and so where their beautiful wives...very down to earth .

You shouldn't feel bad at all.

I differ significantly from Jtip in that I think while we are not appraising THE owner we are appraising the Typical Owner. Knowing what kind of person is the typical buyer or seller (that we always speak of) helps us understand and predict qualitatively how that kind of buyer would react to marketability issues.

I generally spend quite a bit of time on inspections, because I take the time to talk to the occupants. I wouldn't say that I pump them for info, but in the nature of making polite conversation I do try to get some info out of them that will help me flesh out my understanding of the kind of person that would be interested in this house in particular and the neighborhood in general. In particular, info about why they purchased here originally, and why they're leaving now is most interesting. When you find a neighborhood that has an unusually high or low turnover rate, a leading question or two can help you put your finger on the why. Stuff like that.

 

[Dale Smalley]

Google Earth almost always but very rarely the borrower. Unless its that mega house. Yeah I want to know what I did wrong in life.

 

[CANative]

I always google commercial property addresses. Once in a while a property owner as needed. I never google borrower names for residential assignments.