Exterior Photo Requirements!

[Midwest Guy]

I take the main three, then I take two pages of six photos showing sides front and side, alternate street, address verification, AC UNIT, DETACHED STRUCTURES, UNDER DECK, ETC...

In review, FHA asks for shots showing multiple sides.

In practice, just walk around the darned House and take multiple photos, it's not like you're taping them on the pages.

At a minim, each of my reports has 3-5 (sometimes more) subject exterior shots, a shot of the rear yard from the house, street views in each direction and a view directly across the street.

 

[J Grant]

There is no language in FNMA about showing the sides of the home. Move on with the review.

 

[Non Sequitur]

There is no language in FNMA about showing the sides of the home. Move on with the review.

Agreed, but the front and rear shot guidelines are a minimum requirement. If there is an issue, the guideline can't be used as an excuse for not addressing the issue. If the OP feels additional photos would have shown the subject needed a repair, has an atypical design, etc. do mention that in the review.

 

[J Grant]

If there is an "issue", such as the photos dont' clearly show the house or are hiding a defect the reviewer saw when driving the subject, that is one thing. But just because the reviewer thinks the OA "should have done a better job" with the photos, or they themselves always take a side photo is not a reason, imo, to write up in a review.

This is nitpicking and one of the reason reviewers should have to pass a course and need a license to review so they know what to address and what not to address and why.

 

[J Grant]

Agreed, but the front and rear shot guidelines are a minimum requirement. If there is an issue, the guideline can't be used as an excuse for not addressing the issue. If the OP feels additional photos would have shown the subject needed a repair, has an atypical design, etc. do mention that in the review.

If a repair or other legit issue is for a needed side photo, yes, talk about it in a review.

But the OP posted they just feel the OA "should have done a better job", for no particular reason it seems, and was fishing around to see if FNMA had language about it. If a reviewer doesn't even know that FNMA does not require a side photo, they should question their own competence to review, before questioning whether an OA should have taken a side photo or not.

Personally, I take side photos whether a req or not, but as a reviewer would not write about another appraiser not doing it (unless on an FHA order), unless the side photo was needed to show something notworthy about property or not taking one was misleading.

 

[Smokey Bear]

If there is an "issue", such as the photos dont' clearly show the house or are hiding a defect the reviewer saw when driving the subject, that is one thing. But just because the reviewer thinks the OA "should have done a better job" with the photos, or they themselves always take a side photo is not a reason, imo, to write up in a review.

This is nitpicking and one of the reason reviewers should have to pass a course and need a license to review so they know what to address and what not to address and why.

Bingo! 111111

 

[JTip]

That's a good looking house CAN. Probably smell the ocean from the front porch. What's something like that go for out there?

Edit: I take four corners in addition to the standard F,R,St photos.

 

[Lobo Fan]

I once had a borrower complain to the lender about my car being in the front photo. I had just come from another appointment that included several miles of sloppy muddy dirt road and my car was dirty. The front from the windsheild forward was visible.

 

[CANative]

That's a good looking house CAN. Probably smell the ocean from the front porch. What's something like that go for out there?

Edit: I take four corners in addition to the standard F,R,St photos.

I think I came in at about $245k on a contract price of $315k. It's in a remote little village with less than 200 people and no other villages for 20 miles north or south, the ocean a few hundred yards west and no properties for 70 miles to the east. Values there are very low because it's so isolated.

Over the years I had appraised homes next door on each side and larger acreage properties to the east. I remember when they bought that house and spent the next two or three years updating it. It was originally built in the 1920's. It was on the market for a couple of years prior to the sale I was appraising it for.

 

[NorthTexValuation]

I have been taking pictures of all sides of home for FNMA and FHA assignments for a while now. I am trying to complete a FNMA Review and I am trying to find literature on the four sides. The OA has staight front and back pics, I think a better job should have been done to show the subject.

You have been providing photos that are in line with FHA but EXCEED FNMA requirements.

Unless you believe the photos were taken to avoid showing something, front and rear straight on photos only are perfectly acceptable for FNMA.