first a memorial on the front yard, now buzzards on a roof

[Anonymous]

my last bizarre assignment was the flowers and such against the tree in the front yard. I solved it to may satisfaction by stating,
"...memorial in front yard for crash victims due to sharp curve in road. These memorials are becoming more and more common at significant accidents in rural areas. No market response to these shrines however, traffic noise at odd hours makes all comparables more favorable as they are located on straight highway stretches..." No response yet from lender.

So, went to another refi today, home located in hilly terrain. Enclosed pool has parapet around roof that is a perfect perch for birds. I asked the owner what the white splats were and he hesitated. (Now, I know bird poop when I see it) "oh, we have a lot of sparrows around here, that's all..." Well, the crap looked like it came from a small dog rather than some sparrow s*it. (Lord knows what information appraisers have to know) Hmmm, ok I say, complete the assignment and leave.

Went back later in the PM and saw about a dozen turkey vultures
(Cathartides aura) perching on the pool area. Of course I took out my trusted Field Guide To Birds and found out that these have a wingspan of 6 feet, adults with red bare head and weigh about 15 lbs, and eagle sized. ( Talked to a neighbor and she said the birds roost there morning and night, been that way for about a year. )

OK fellow birders and appraisers, now what? How many people are going to buy a place that has vultures on a daily basis? Is this environmental pollution? Can you spin this? At least if they were eagles someone would buy the place as a nature preserve (change H & B use?) So it goes...

 

[Les Brant]

There is a market for Bat Guano, how about an income producing "Buzzard Perch"? Would suggest that the "Perch" be removed. I know that I would not be interested in harvesting that stuff. Les in Sunny Coastal (N)Carolina

 

[Anonymous]

Buzzards are a protected species....if that is any consolation. Advertise it in Bird Watcher's Digest.

 

[Blue1]

Here in FAR Northern California we have a lot of those turkey vultures. We also have a lot of wood peckers. My daughter goes to the local college where they have installed an ultra sonic system that scares the birds away. In-audible to humans. (my daughter swears she can hear it though) Maybe something like that would work for the turkey vultures? 'Course you might need a fog-horn for those heavyweights!

 

[xmrdfghap]

<span style='color:brown'>I suppose shooting them would just provide more food for them.........

Seriously, I would look at what is drawing them, particularly if it has been only for the past year. A local extension agent will be able to provide information about vulture removal and might offer suggestions to remove whatever it is they find hospitable about the area.

My inital thought that it should be mentioned as a curable defect but you have no knowledge of market reaction to such "infestation" (maybe that is the wrong word). If the county agent says it will take "$zzz.xx to remediate, adjust accordingly. If it is a matter of off site attraction (a landfill, slaughter house, georgia crematorium, etc) then it might be a permanent (and non-curable) defect.
</span>

 

[Anonymous]

Update--There was some timber harvesting nearby and I speculate that they were roosting there prior to arriving at the subject. For farm builldings I've seen bird netting and strings hung from rafters, or one could put some fake owls or crows on the parapet. Maybe that would disperse them. Stay tuned.

 

[xmrdfghap]

Pet pythons might work too........ :lol:

 

[Mountain Man]

:roll: :lol: How in the world did you luck up with the best of the weird ones lately?

 

[Anonymous]

Hey, it's just the luck of the draw. How boring appraisaing would be if all you did were tract homes--anybody can do those. When you get in the country with no MLS, no public records, that seperates the Ladies from the girls or men from the boys.

"Young men know all the answers. Old men know the exceptions"


see my latest post. After these two and the new assignment, I'm taking a week off.