Interior Photos - Yes? No?

[metrocoast]

I also include photographs of the interior of homes. I usually photograph the living room, kitchen, and the main hall bath. If the home has a family room or a formal dining room I include those as well. I always ask for permission and I have only been declined a handful of times. I only started including interior photos about six months ago as a standard practice after a client requested them on a property in which I had not photographed the interior. That non income producing return trip was the leading cause for my now standard practice. Previously, I would only include them of course on; REO properties, custom built estate homes and on homes which contained favorable remodeling and renovation or the flipside substantial deferred maintenance. With the digital technology, EDI and PDF applications there is essentially no additional cost to me so as I said I now include them as a matter of routine.

 

[Roger]

I only take interior photos of vacants, REO's, partially complete, and rentals.

In this age of political correctness, I why take the chance of having personal property, pictures, etc, that could reflect the race, sex, age, sexual orentation, or whatever of the owner.

To me, this could be just as telling as including a picture of the owner in the report.

If a lender were to request, in writing, interior photos, I would include them as they then become the lender's responsibility.

 

[graindart]

I always take 3 interior pictures, but don't include them in the reports unless requested (very rare). I don't print them out or send them, if PDF, but just take them for my own records. They come in handy to refresh my memory if I get a call on the appraisal at a later date. I agree with the suggestion to get in writing the request to leave out the interior photos. If in writing, I wouldn't probably have a problem with removing them, but then again I don't usually include them anyways.

 

[Larry Lyke]

The lender's reason for requesting removal of the photos may be as inocuous as:

Not wanting to deal with any ethnic issue that the photos portray;

There may be a religious symbol on the wall;

They may be getting ready to announce a turndown.

 

[John SRA]

The reason for the request may be file size. Many clients do not have broadband Internet access, so reports with interior photos take a long time to download.

Best Wishes

JC

 

[Wally Jones]

As previous posters said, I take interior photos when specifically requested by the client or for repair conditions or unusual circumstances. The lender in this particular case may simply want them removed because it isn't standard practice to include interior photos in their market. Seems harmless on the face of it, but a call to the client for clarification wouldn't hurt.

Wally

 

[Richard Carlsen]

I always take interior photos. 8 or 10 of them in most cases but only use 3 except in situations like high quality rec room in walkout basement or spectacular fireplace. These photos are for me more than the lender. They are my reference when I write the report 6 or 8 days later.

Over 3000 appraisals and never had a person so much as question why I take pictures. And nobody ever volunteers to be in the picture except for the kids, the dogs and the cats.

 

[Blue1]

I take interior photos for my own recollection. Sometimes in include them in the report and sometimes I don't. Interior photos are included if they differ significantly in condition from the exterior. i.e. if the exterior looks shabby but the interior has been upgraded. This is the most typical scenario I run into. Folks typically fix up the interior before the exterior in my area. There are times when there is a big difference and "a picture is worth a thousand words." Conversely, if the exterior looks good but the interior is thrashed you will want to verify that with photos also. With the advent of the digital camera, I find I'm taking more and more pictures. Same with you all?

 

[Paulette in Texas]

We routinely take interior photos to cover our rear in case the subject changes in interior condition. We also take extensive commentary in our field notes as well as in our report. No they are not paying for it, but we want to be in business AFTER FNMA and the coming REO market send alot of good & bad appraisers off to the non-appraisal world. We routinely include photos in our reports over & above the standard 3 subject photos when either condition is above average or below average. If it makes the file too large for them, then that's their problem and not ours. We are in the business of reporting and documenting our conclusions. We are not in the Blue-Light special business. So far, we have not had any clients NOT like our reports nor our file size. We have also not been challenged on our conclusions...correct that to read not lost a challenge. We frequently are challenged by someone trying to get their 12-20% increase over their last year's appraisal. Imagine that. We just don't seem to play the same song & dance as make that number. Go figure. But we can support our adjustments and conclusions with data from the market. Geeeeeezzz. Maybe that's a standard. You think? Nah. Just the peons doing the job they were hired to do.
Rotts rule, shih tzus fine, go w... Paulette in Tx

 

[Anonymous]

I take quite a few interior shots but rarely put them in the report itself. They are for file to back up my statements if questioned. Especially if it is a remodel - and if a final inspection of a half finished property as proof why I rejected certifying the final inspection.