will FHA accept an MLS photo?

[Carol Ames]

I have appraisals out there with wonderful pictures on the main comp pictures grid of a gate that says something to the effect that trespassers will be shot. I always believe these signs. At best you can just barely see the roof of the home in the background. I then include in the additional photos the picture from MLS that actually shows the house and state that it is the house as shown in MLS.

I have not had a client who would not accept MLS photos on listings.

 

[CANative]

So you decided to attempt to doing something other than what you affirmed to in the cert pages. You were going to do it because you felt it was a good comp that you initially missed. Now you decide that you are not going to use this good comp because it's just too inconvenient to drive back and do everything properly. So now your appraisal isn't as good as it should be just because of a matter of inconvience.

Well, at least I understand.

Understand what?

It's a mortgage appraisal, not a mission from God.m2:

 

[TC]

Understand what?

It's a mortgage appraisal, not a mission from God.m2:

Damnit, Jake, go back and shoot that comp!
​

 

[appraisalondemand]

Pay someone else?

i d say if they already on it , then make a trip and take darn photo ! or pay someone to do it !!

Pay someone else to do it??? How does that make it any better than using MLS photo???

 

[Michigan CG]

Pay someone else to do it??? How does that make it any better than using MLS photo???

The purpose of taking a picture of a comparable in residential appraising is that hopefully the appraiser will take notes, mental or written about the condition of the property and try to differentiate the differences between the comp and the subject. That is called analysis of the comparable property.

I would have serious problems with an appraisal that included only MLS pictures. Personally I have included MLS pictures, along with my own pictures. I question anyone (but do not pass judgment on) who has to drive 3 hours for a residential appraisal. There has to be some serious geographical competence questions.

But then again, the appraisers living in very remote areas (western Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, many parts of Colorado, Utah, nowhere Iowa, Nevada and other areas come to mind) probably know the rural areas better than the residents.

 

[Otis Key]

I have appraisals out there with wonderful pictures on the main comp pictures grid of a gate that says something to the effect that trespassers will be shot. I always believe these signs. At best you can just barely see the roof of the home in the background. I then include in the additional photos the picture from MLS that actually shows the house and state that it is the house as shown in MLS.

I have not had a client who would not accept MLS photos on listings.

Carol - I warned you about the South Valley..........uh, Espanola

 

[EVAUSA]

I promise I drove the comps, but my dog ate my camera, MLS photo was therefore utilized.

 

[CANative]

But then again, the appraisers living in very remote areas (western Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, many parts of Colorado, Utah, nowhere Iowa, Nevada and other areas come to mind) probably know the rural areas better than the residents.

You forgot to mention Northern California. In most of the area I work I have to add a 4th location label... urban/suburban/rurall ... and remote. Lots of roads are rough, meandering dirt roads with no signs, confusing loops and switchbacks and there is absolutely no sign that any houses are built any within miles and driveways are just openings in the woods. Property owners do not post addresses.

It's a two and a half hour drive from my place in the southeast corner of Mendocino County to Westport in the northwest corner. I also work in Lake County which is almost as bad. So if I had to drive a circle around my territory it would probably take 12-14 hours.

 

[Amy Perkins]

Why are you appraising properties located three hours away? Rural area?

 

[Stone]

"Rural area" is not a catch-all excuse to avoid doing what you said you did. If you are noting that you did not drive the comparables that you have listed, that is one thing. If you are not noting that, and explaining how it changes the pre-printed certifications, it is wrong.

Edit to add - As someone who has, as noted earlier, gone out and spent an entire day more than once in order to add an appropriate sale, I sympathize with you. But, sometimes it just has to be done.