What photos do you consider mandatory for every appraisal

[Brian Cooper]

My mentor taught me that there are some photos that are mandatory. They are:
All four sides of the house
Street, both directions
Address (if posted)
One of every room (minimum of 1)
HVAC unit
Tankless water heater (if present)
Crawl space
Attic
Pool / shed / shed interior /dock / water view (if present)

Now I realize that most of those are truly non-negotiable. However, is a pic of the tankless water heater or HVAC something you consider mandatory? Attic and crawl are FHA / Fannie / etc mandatory, so I get it with them. What other pics do you consider mandatory?

 

[bnmappraisal]

Always depends on your SOW and the client you have

In many private/non-lending, I have a client who says basically "I know what the/my house looks like, I don't need the extra pics" So I just include front/rear/street

For GSE, I generally take pics of each room, front/rear and both street directions ... some clients require all 4 sides to be shown, others not so much

Some clients require HVAC, etc in every report, even CONV and not just FHA ... others don't want/need it

Again, it comes down to the SOW with your client.

 

[Bob Ipock]

Mandatory for me only? All that you listed plus disposal under sink, smoke and/or C02 detectors, photo of every intersection where floor surface changes (vinyl/wood. ceramic/carpet), fireplace, lights on, water running, attic access manor as well as inside the attic, electrical panel, driveway surface...and some more on occasion.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

There are no "mandatory" pictures in USPAP. Fannie Mae lists the photos they want. FHA lists the photos they want. The rest is lender BS. Notice, FNMA does NOT require bedroom pix nor do they require ALL rooms be photographed? Again it is just some scumbag bank rule.

 

[Fernando]

In good old days, front photo showing one side at angle, rear, street, kitchen, and bathrooms.
That's all you really need but after the housing crisis, lender no longer trusts appraisers and require as many photos as possible.
In California, many ask for double strapped water heater and carbon monoxide detector.
Few asks for smoke detectors which I think is more important. Go figure.

 

[Tim The Enchanter]

I include the photos they want and require. I try to avoid a bunch of excess junk pics. There is no need for 100 pics.
Maybe 30ish for a big house. Maybe just 9 for a 1 bedroom condo. I take more than I use, but then I have to sort through them all, and label them if I use them.

Unless they specifically state they need smoke detectors water heaters, etc, I am not giving those. It's ridiculous to take pics of smoke detectors imho.
I will photo water heaters, electric panels, furnace, pool eqpt, and such, but pics stay in my file unless requested.
Unless it is FHA I am not looking in crawl spaces, and I am not looking in attics unless it has stairs.

 

[jay trotta]

Opinions vary and the writings here do not represent the writer; thoughts from Jupiter and other solar system delights;
Old school basics; Front & Rear / Kitchen / Bath & Living Room; (my theory) if the balance of the inside is in similar Condition, why would you need any other photo ??

To Top it all off, Lender Requires "Insurance Coverage" for the Mortgage, which Includes the Land Value; Insurance RC for the dwelling is BS.....lol

2nd theory, why do you need photo's with the overvalued insurance ?? Don't drop the soap, keep a look out with you at all times

This is why "atmospheric adjustments" may be deemed applicable somewhere within the universe

 

[Tom Woolford]

I basically adhere to FHA standards for photos plus street both ways. I do take pix of smoke detectors. water heater, electric panel etc. that just stay in file. If nothing else, if audited by the state it shows I did a careful inspection and costs nothing.

 

[NC Appraising]

Mandatory for me only? All that you listed plus disposal under sink, smoke and/or C02 detectors, photo of every intersection where floor surface changes (vinyl/wood. ceramic/carpet), fireplace, lights on, water running, attic access manor as well as inside the attic, electrical panel, driveway surface...and some more on occasion.

I'm with you. More the better.

My thoughts:
1. If I screw up, I have a photo to go off of.
2. If it's on the URAR, I take a photo. Windows, fence, foundation, hvac, rear view, front view, wainscotting, etc.
If it gets reviewed, makes it easier. Less chance of a dispute with the owner. Kinda hard to dispute the facts...with pics. Same if you get turned into the board.
3. Makes for a more credible report. Hvac new, water heater old, etc.
4. Makes for less note taking.

I use a tablet so it's super easy....take a pic, hit the HVAC label, done. No more taking pics, go back to the office and upload the and label them....



As for private assignments, I always take photos. If for some odd reason they do not want me to include them in the report, they will be in my file. I do not play that "my word against yours". I have pics to back me up.

 

[bnmappraisal]

As for private assignments, I always take photos. If for some odd reason they do not want me to include them in the report, they will be in my file. I do not play that "my word against yours". I have pics to back me up.

I agree, NC

I always tell my private clients that I'm going to take a bunch of pics so I have them for my file and for when I'm back in the office working on their report.
Like I said above, I leave it up to them if THEY want the additional pics in the report - SOW