Homeowner-supplied Photo

[MetroMixer]

During a recent appraisal. Both the exterior and interior were inspected. While doing the interior inspection, the borrower/homeowner had some questions I fielded of the appraisal process as well as explaining other sales that occurred on their lake. This got me of my normal routine in which I forgot to take photos of the kitchen and a bath. Is there anything in USPAP or FNMA guidelines that anyone knows that prevents me from having to make another trip to the property to get these two photos? Can I have the homeowner text me these two photos? Explain/disclose this in the report?
This is one where going back out for the photos is a bit uncomfortable with the much lower opinion of value than what they were hoping for.....thanks for the response!!

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

USPAP does not require photos. Fannie likely wouldn't care but I would go back and get the photo explaining to the homeowner and I would do so at their convenience without comment about the report, the direction it is taking, etc. I would NOT ask the homeowner to take the photo although I doubt there is anything in terms of compliance issues. I simply would suck up my failure and fix it myself. Do you want to add the statement that the HO took some of the photos and the potential red flag on review that would entail?

 

[Mark K]

If the value is less than what the owner wants, you can bet that they will tell your client that they provided you with the photos...since you "were too incompetent to even take your own photos". Those will be their words, not mine.

I've had owners take a photo and send it to me before for the same reason as you, got distracted by the owner and got out of my normal routine. I assume you inspected the bath and the kitchen. As long as the photo(s) are an accurate reflection of the property, I don't know why you can't do it, but I'm not sure you'd want to in a situation that you just described with the low value.

 

[J Grant]

During a recent appraisal. Both the exterior and interior were inspected. While doing the interior inspection, the borrower/homeowner had some questions I fielded of the appraisal process as well as explaining other sales that occurred on their lake. This got me of my normal routine in which I forgot to take photos of the kitchen and a bath. Is there anything in USPAP or FNMA guidelines that anyone knows that prevents me from having to make another trip to the property to get these two photos? Can I have the homeowner text me these two photos? Explain/disclose this in the report?
This is one where going back out for the photos is a bit uncomfortable with the much lower opinion of value than what they were hoping for.....thanks for the response!!

go back and take the photo, and DO NOT discuss value with them. Say you have another appointment, and take the photos and get out.

Ive had to go back on occasion for a photo I forgot to take or came out blurry. BUT, let this be a lesson; your mistake in the inspection was explaining other sales on the lake to the homeowner...don't discuss value, other sales etc . Tell the HO to list the sales and if you think it is appropriate, after the inspection sit down and hear what they have to say, my preference is to avoid these kinds of conversations with a HO., I will accept sales from them if they provide them but dislike talking about it with them as anything said in the conversation on our end can be misinterpreted, and lenders typically do not want the appraiser discussing value issues with the HO.

 

[Elliott]

I did a final and missed a photo of something. I called the HO who was anxious to close and explained the situation. I asked if she had a smart phone and could take the photo and send it. It accurately represented the space. I don't know why AMCs are so photo phobic. I think its a power trip on their part.

 

[J Grant]

A "clean" situation like Elliot describes could be okay.

The OP is already in a mess with the HO, having discussed sales with them, been informed of a value the HO is inspecting etc, and as MArk said, the HO might use request to send a photo against the appraiser. Not worth the risk, just go out and do it.

 

[JTip]

Make it a point to add a review of your site photos in the car after the inspection.

I caught one last week, I forgot the kitchen picture.

Better to look like an idiot now than a bigger idiot later.

 

[ucbruin]

Have the homeowner email you a photo.....

 

[hastalavista]

Have the homeowner email you a photo.....

...and disclose that you inspected the room, omitted to take the photo, asked the homeowner to send you a photo and s/he did, and then state that the photo received accurately depicts what you observed.

The lender may require you to personally take the photo; if so, I'd go back and take it.

Good luck!

 

[bnmappraisal]

I agree with most of the comments - go back out and take it yourself. I think if you have the owner send you a pic, that just opens up a can of worms you don't want. If your OMV is lower and they don't get the loan, you know they're going to nit pick your report to death. You don't want them saying

"were too incompetent to even take your own photos". Those will be their words, not mine.

which I agree with Mark K, will be their first words!

Regarding going back out there, though, I will recommend not to say you forgot, just that the pics didn't come out for whatever reason (blurry, camera malfunction, corrupted when you tried to load them onto your computer, etc)
Hope it all works out for you...I've been in the same situation myself.