Is Driving By Comps Still Necessary?

[Steve Owen]

UNLESS someone is in the yard and says to me, "DO NOT TAKE A PICTURE OF MY HOUSE!" I will take a photo of the comp and put it in my work file and in my report.

:rainfro:

I had a gal come running out of her house one time to inform me I could not take a picture of her house.

I had to politely inform her that as long as I stay on the public street, I can point my camera in any direction I want to.

:dance:

Seriously. I have had similar incidents to that several times. But, have never been shot at or followed.

When someone is visible, I stop and introduce myself to tell them what I'm doing. Then I ask them to please move out of the picture. To date, I have never had anyone refuse to do that for me.

The only time I have ever had to use an MLS photo (twice) was when there was a locked gate, no trespassing sign, and the property was not visible from the road.

 

[Mister Ed]

Steve,

If they are in the yard, I do the same as you do... even show them my appraiser's license to at least try to lend some credibility to my request. If they say, "NO!" I honor that request for then and try to go back later if time/distance/location allows. If not, then I use the MLS photo with a clear explanation as to why.

I had to use MLS photos on one that I did earlier this week that the houses were covered by trees from the street or so far off the street and the slope of the yard made it difficult to get good pics. I took the best pics possible and included both sets. I do NOT trespass on property. Again, they saw my effort (and proof I was there) and then a pic with a clearer view of the comps.

I was taught to be sure to Cover My A** because nobody else is going to cover it for me.

-ed-

 

[Jim Onderisin]

Ed, thanks for your good idea of keeping both your own and the MLS photo if they are different. Also, your story about the appraiser claiming to, but not driving the comparable, is interesting. You have no idea how many times I've heard that line from appraisers at seminars, "We always use the MLS photos because we believe they are more representative of the property as it existed at the time of sale." I always knew they were just blowing smoke up my hinder.

 

[Mister Ed]

Jim,

I heard an instructor for CE here tell that to a group of appraisers... that is where this trainee got it from.

Another thing around here... by the time the MLS photo is compressed and put into the small spot for the MLS listing, it is pretty much useless to put into a report except as a last resort. They are mildly blurry at best when entered into an appraisal report.

I believe that an MLS photo can best represent a comp when the comp has been changed or allowed to run down, etc.... but show your proof of the changes, too!

Again, like I said above, I have to cover my a** because I dont expect anyone to do it for me.

-ed-

 

[Doug in NC]

Lender perspective:

Yeah, let's get rid of the practice of photoing comps. Then we can drop your fees to $99! Less work means less we have to pay you lazy appraisers. Ha!

 

[jeff samolinski]

Another example of baiting the traps with the finest of cheese!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1