Which picture would you use?

[Mike Garrett RAA]

Good point Ron....can I steal it for my next USPAP update class?

I think I would use both and have the wide shot as my cover page. Usually I like to use a wide shot for the cover that shows the relationship of the subject to the adjoining properties.

Been paying particular attention to my photos recently since a staff reviewer criticized my work for not having photos that clearly showed all four sides of the subject. He also commented that my photos did not show a high tension power line that was close to the subject property.

I always include interior photos and now am taking a shot of the interior of the garage as well as the furnace and water heater. If the property has a good view, I take a view shot too.

Since I am not printing out reports to send to a client anymore, I find lots of extra pictures are a good thing. One of the advantages of electronic transmission of appraisals. Let the client absorb the paper and ink costs.

Found out most lenders are printing the reports on letter size rather than legal. Had to buy some legal size paper last week. Sticker shock...$11.49 a ream. Talk about a ream job! Fortunately for me, I bought a couple of cases on sale last year at $4.99 a ream. Too bad its all gone now.

 

[Richard Carlsen]

I'd most likely use them both although they are not photos I would take of the exterior. All of my report us a 6 block photo page for the exterior and 6 block for the interior. On the outside, there's generally a left and right angle front and a left or right angle rear so all side are shown. Then there is a shot looking down the street that is the normal way to access the property. Finally, one of the detached if any, waterfront, pole barn, etc. If there are none of these, a photo of the entire site from the front is shot from across the street.

There are enough photos that the reader can get a good visualization of the subject. We owe at least that to the reader when photos are included in a report.

 

[Mztk1]

Had to buy some legal size paper last week. Sticker shock...$11.49 a ream. Talk about a ream job! Fortunately for me, I bought a couple of cases on sale last year at $4.99 a ream. Too bad its all gone now.

Staples or Office Depot?

I get my paper at CostCo. I picked up a case of 10 reams for $39.99 just last week.

 

[PJK03]

I am going to answer before I read what others have said.
I don't like the first picture, I almost never use an angled pic for the subject front.
However, the grafitti in pic two would make me think twice. I actually would probably take a 3rd, closer to the front of the subject, non-blurred pic.

 

[Dutchman]

Picture #2. Why would you hide something that exists, isn't that misleading??? It is what it is

 

[CANative]

It's just a photo and although a picture can tell a thousand words it may not be telling the right thousand words. The fence could be painted in 15 minutes and the driveway raked. A hose with a nozzle would take care of the skid mark where the guy in the Camarro peeled out over the curb after fighting with his girlfriend.

Why make trouble where trouble probably doesn't exist?

 

[TJSum]

Is it just the angle of the second photo, or are the sidewalk steps buckling down to the left. Is that just a regular fence to the left, or is it a partial retaining wall as well? If it is a partial retaining wall that is not working, and the steps are buckling, looks like a costly repair in the near future one should very well disclose.

 

[CANative]

Is it just the angle of the second photo, or are the sidewalk steps buckling down to the left. Is that just a regular fence to the left, or is it a partial retaining wall as well? If it is a partial retaining wall that is not working, and the steps are buckling, looks like a costly repair in the near future one should very well disclose.

It's a funky little cottage with funky yard stuff. What will happen if it's not repaired in the near future or anytime in the future? It will still be a funky little house with funky concrete walks.

 

[TJSum]

It is hard to say from just these two pictures. Not sure how close the house is to the front yard that actually could be sliding away, if close enough the dwellings structure could be affected. If the house is a safe distance away, the least worry would be the safety hazard of the front sidewalk steps buckling. Not enough info from just these two pics to know what is going on, but thought it was worth a mention as no one else noted it.

Whenever there are issues with retaining walls on a property, the repairs could be very costly.

 

[CANative]

I was just trying to pick a fight... as usual.:laugh: