What do you do when comp owner calls the police for taking photos of her home?

[ZZGAMAZZ]

Homie actually jumps in front of my car last week and yells "What up? Why you taking photos of my truck." I politely explained to him what I was doing, although I was tired and aggravated and really wanted to yell, "You one lucky MF I didn't run your axx over stupid F." But yea, the default response from home owners varies greatly depending on the neighborhood. Plus they see my grey hair and prolly figure I can't be much of a threat.

Plus I got the magnetic signs on my car that read, "I know Fernando."

 

[Fernando]

Plus I got the magnetic signs on my car that read, "I know Fernando."

Good. That sign will save your a@@.

 

[James Micozzi]

It seems to many appraisers are too concerned with taking comp photos when people are present. Drive up, stop across the street, observe and if you see anyone, drive away. Just put in your report that people were present and you were unable to take a photo and used the MLS in your report. I had one lender demand that I go back and take a picture when kids were in front of the comparable when I drove by for my exterior viewing This response ended all the nonsense

"The above request from the client is not proper. It would be highly inappropriate for the appraiser to take pictures of children that are in front of a home. The scenario of a stranger(the appraiser) in a strange car pointing a camera and taking pictures of young children could result in police responding to conduct an investigation and possible result in criminal charges being filed against the appraiser.

The appraiser has first hand knowledge to support the above statement as the appraiser is a retired New York City Police Lieutenant, who was assigned to a Human Trafficking/Sex Crimes unit that investigated numerous cases of children being trafficked and/or sexual abused. The majority of these investigations began when a complaint was received from a citizen who was concerned that a strange individual was observed taking a picture of a young child from a car.

The appraiser will never, under any circumstances, take a picture of a comparable property when there are children in front of that property. "

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

Lucky you.

Not necessarily "luck"... I am a lot more stealthy than some. First, I don't mind going past more than once, and I don't make it obvious what i am doing. Further, I have the equipment to take short exposure pix. 1/250-1/500 will stop most action so I don't need to stop to get a picture. Your phone ain't gonna do that. Get a real camera. And learn what Tav or Tv means on its dials. Otherwise, use the rubber suction cup and GoPro method of continuous multi-frame shooting.

 

[ZZGAMAZZ]

It seems to many appraisers are too concerned with taking comp photos when people are present. Drive up, stop across the street, observe and if you see anyone, drive away. Just put in your report that people were present and you were unable to take a photo and used the MLS in your report. I had one lender demand that I go back and take a picture when kids were in front of the comparable when I drove by for my exterior viewing This response ended all the nonsense

"The above request from the client is not proper. It would be highly inappropriate for the appraiser to take pictures of children that are in front of a home. The scenario of a stranger(the appraiser) in a strange car pointing a camera and taking pictures of young children could result in police responding to conduct an investigation and possible result in criminal charges being filed against the appraiser.

The appraiser has first hand knowledge to support the above statement as the appraiser is a retired New York City Police Lieutenant, who was assigned to a Human Trafficking/Sex Crimes unit that investigated numerous cases of children being trafficked and/or sexual abused. The majority of these investigations began when a complaint was received from a citizen who was concerned that a strange individual was observed taking a picture of a young child from a car.

The appraiser will never, under any circumstances, take a picture of a comparable property when there are children in front of that property. "

Great response. Accurate. Meaningful. Sincere. Could easily cost the appraiser $25K a year in future revenue if the reviewer takes umbrage at the comment.

 

[Fernando]

Not necessarily "luck"... I am a lot more stealthy than some. First, I don't mind going past more than once, and I don't make it obvious what i am doing. Further, I have the equipment to take short exposure pix. 1/250-1/500 will stop most action so I don't need to stop to get a picture. Your phone ain't gonna do that. Get a real camera. And learn what Tav or Tv means on its dials. Otherwise, use the rubber suction cup and GoPro method of continuous multi-frame shooting.View attachment 52641

That's ingenious of you.

When I was teaching my daughter to drive, I was at passenger seat and I had the flexibility to take photo when homeowner wasn't looking at me.
My daughter was fearful in taking photos. Yeah, she had to take photo sometimes and being aware of cars in front and back.
She doesn't want to be an appraiser.

 

[Sandra Koutsopoulos]

In 30 years, had nothing like that ever happen.

WOW~ You are lucky!!
Got chased into a dead-end street by Watts Tower once by some ruffians who apparently didn't like this old lady in an old Buick taking a photo of their drug house. They di'n know NUTHIN' 'bout no mortgage... What's an appraisal?... Escaped with my life, but taught me a lesson.
Got chased down the street by a veteran with PTSD in Lake Elsinore whose suspicion-meter was overheated.
Got chased from in front of a neighbor's house near Beverly Hills who thought he was so important that I was Papparazzi'ing him. Didn't know him from Adam, self-important jerk.
Got lights and sirens after taking a comp photo in Whittier b/c a little old lady called the police saying I was out of my car peeping in peoples' windows; I never leave the safety of my car.
Got trapped for a minute by a guy backing up to my bumper where I pulled over while I took a photo of a comp. Whittier again. I reported him to the Police Dept there because he was so off the wall aggressive. Wasn't even taking a pic of his house. I felt a person with that kind of hair trigger was dangerous to society, and sooner or later they would have an action with him as a suspect.
Got chased down the road and around the corner by a lady & her friends demanding to know why I took a photo of her house. Told her it was my job. "Who do you work for?" Bye. Took 6 turns to shake her loose. People are so paranoid.

 

[Fernando]

When I take a photo and owner sees me and I drive away, I always look at my rear view mirror to see if the owner jumped into his car and is chasing after me.
Life of a paranoid appraiser.

 

[Fernando]

Positive responses only please. I need your help.

Frequently I encounter a home owner who asks why I take photos of their home, and I get a chance to explain why. Matter dies, and everybody moves on. More often though, is the one where the person runs out the front door and asks "why take photo of my house", you start to try to explain, they tell you they're calling police. You drive to the next street in same subdivision, take 2 more houses, and blue lights flash behind your car. 3 squad cars show up. You're in handcuffs before you get a chance to ask why. They check your car, and driver's license. They find files on the passenger seat showing addresses and appraisal orders. Real Estate Appraiser car decal still by the door on both sides. The one who handcuffed you comes back and says you can now go. This after 67 minutes of craziness that seemed more like a week in real time. I had large Real Estate Appraiser decals printed from Staples to attach to the car door after the first one in early 2017. It still hasn't helped me.

If you have had experiences akin to this, please kindly advice how you have avoided it since the first encounter. If not, please kindly suggest how to avoid such. Any ideas to help me avoid this fate again will help.

Last year when I was stopped by the police, after that moment I passed it off.
Later that day and next day, I was hesitant in taking comp photos.
I think I was traumatized unconsciously and didn't want to deal such a scenario again and bit scare to take photos.
I think after a week, I forgot about it.
I'm back in my old ways. You'll be ok.

 

[spittman]

I invoke "White Privilege." Or yell "Undercover Immigration." Either works every time, or doesn't.

Are you being serious or is that suppose to be funny?