Why driving comps should be sunset by the GSE's

[Fernando]

It's my call. Yesterday, I had all the comps photos from prior reports but I wanted to drive by some of the comps just to see a new perspective for my subject.

 

[Tim The Enchanter]

The field work is the best part of the job, imho.
Writing up the report is the worst part.
Noooooooooooooooo, desktops.

 

[KYLECODY]

They do, especially Fannie/FHA. They can read the metadata in the files, and/or just visually look at the MLS pics they have access to.

Like you say, best way to not get caught is to do it the way your signed certifications say you have done it.

Oh, and not getting called out on it does not mean you have gotten away with it--they track stuff too. Not every report 'deficiency' gets back to the appraiser, but they all get logged.

While we're at it Fannie/Freddie doesn't require comparable photos...thats a lender/client specific request.

 

[KYLECODY]

The field work is the best part of the job, imho.
Writing up the report is the worst part.
Noooooooooooooooo, desktops.

Agreed, especially after many years. Driving around killing time looking at stuff is semi interesting/engaging..Sitting at a desk on the computer is just a dragggggggg.

 

[Doug Wegener]

The sheer amount of data that is now available to appraisers on comparable properties combined with what is
now an ever present and ever growing danger in my opinion brings to light that driving comps and taking the photos really needs to be sunset.

Here's some reasons why I think this issue should be addressed
With the advent of lockdowns and the exponential growth in home delivers (look at Amazon stock) there is an increased amount of traffic during
the day the real and present danger of taking these photos is worse than ever (especially in suburban America).

With the increase of home deliveries such as Amazon, Door Dash, UPS and all the other delivery services there is a demand put on these drivers
to reach their daily quotas, they are driving into neighborhoods they are not familiar with thus running stop signs, traffic lights etc.
This is a present danger to pedestrians and children outside playing then add to this an appraiser stopping his/her car to take a photo.

About a month ago I had a very close call with an Amazon van that just flat out ran a stop a sign and even though I had the right of way driving the speed limit and very familiar with the neighborhood if it wasn't for my quick reflexes and the grace of God I would of been hit on the the driver's side of my car and literally crunched.

It is past time for the GSE's to address the issue, maybe AI or the NAR could get involved as I see this future trend continuing.
I'm really surprised more appraisers aren't addressing this issue in 2020 with the sheer amount of property data we can access.

I recently read in an appraisal magazine about crazy stories appraiser's told some of these stories had a situation where someone
chased them in their car after taking a comp photo and they put this in a humorous light. There's nothing humorous to me about a hostile homeowner/neighbor chasing
an appraiser in their car after the appraiser took a photo comp. No appraiser should have this type of occupational hazard.

It's time the GSE's sunset this rule. My 2 cents on the topic it might not be popular yet I really think it is time.

With MLS Photos all on line, and good aerial imagery, I agree it should be addressed. But it is what it is. Apply for a concealed carry in case you run into that irate homeowner chasing you down. When they do, don't stop, drive to nearest police station. Most of us get pretty good snapping a photo when nobody is looking.