Kara, generally we are not taking photographs of comparable sales or comparable rental backyard areas. Is your FRONT yard fenced where this happened? There are certainly exceptions. Each of us is expected to follow the applicable laws of the states we operate in. Nothing visible from the public right of way is ‘protected’ (against picture taking) in my state of California. We are NOT permitted to use a zoom lens or telephoto viewing to take pictures through (to inside) of the window area.

You say he didn’t offer any information about himself or have a business card, then the question has to be asked “What makes you think he was an appraiser?”

Whenever I am asked while I will always decline to disclose my client’s particulars (mandatory confidential information), I would always certainly identify myself and present a business card. If I don’t have one on me, I usually keep extras in the car. If for some reason I had none, I’d certainly give you my name, address, and license number if asked, as well as my website information, AND explain how you can find me on the states Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers website to verify I am who I say I am.

Interacting with neighbors is an opportunity to develop new business. Why would I not try to do so? (Barring exceptions where I am approached confrontationally & there is no opportunity to explain or discuss. Occasionally people approach us with threats (“I’m calling the police”) …my response is simply that is your right. I am engaged in the lawful conduct of my business, & I have no objection to explaining that to the police if it is your desire to contact them. (I would of course call them myself and explain I am leaving, but how to reach me if needed). Because sometimes neighbors or people exaggerate.

Hilda was a middle-aged redhead who had a trailer house parked in a nudist camp. The house was decorated with photos hanging everywhere. My face was on fire as I took interior photos. I don’t remember the issue or who was the client just Hilda the calendar lady.

You
are the best kind of mother hen Report the incident kids should be protected.

I asked a tenant to harvest the crop in the back yard before I took pictures, Is that deceitful?
I took pictures of drying flora Infront of the wall heater in apartments. Too dumb to realize the weight of the photos, I guess the client could throw out the specific pages.

Each case is different, “the dumb shit parked his Harley in front of my huge station wagon asking what I was doing in his neighborhood”. Stories of humbleness and stories of apology are great entertainment that happened to all who pursued their job.

It’s disheartening to realize once grand neighborhoods have boldly deteriorated.

Then how do you know he was an appraiser?

An appraiser doing a comparable came and stuck his camera over our 6 foot fence and snapped a picture without attempting to get consent. Very unsettling. Didn’t offer any information about himself and did not have a uniform or business card. What are your thoughts about this?

The green tunnels of the summer caused by the tree lined streets, and the white outs during the winter have caused me to word photos. One pic is more efficient

My daughter could fit thru the window, for the foreclosures, we would make a lot of noise with, a big hammer and bang on the front door before finishing our job. This was an explanation enough. Once in a while an owner or and agent would send the KEYS. I typically had a tough time getting the neighbor to accompany me, Id send the keys back if the neighbors refused

That was about 1975, and he was an older SRPA?. Colors are still having problems, and so were the authorities. Child protections are still most important. A cop’s family was?

That’s an abuse under color of authority – especially a midnight visit. That is unreasonable. They never hear of probable cause?

I use logic, common sense and a certain pig-headedness when confronted by illogical ‘guideline’ dogma.

Having said that my original training was that this was mandatory by most clients and accepted as routine minimum standard expectation. MY mentor required it or I would have to go back unless he was in a good mood and took it for me when field reviewing my work.. I simply cannot understand why this continues to be an issue or perceived burden. We ALL know when it is an appropriate exception to the rule.

Just remember that every time we DO make that exception we are supporting Automated valuation as a replacement for ourselves.

Adam, Who on this planet gives a shit whether or not MLS photos are used in an appraisal. FNMA makes millions and million of dollars each year…If they screw up and facing bankruptcy it is YOUR and MY tax dollars that bail the silly SOB’s out…get a grip, there are other assignments out there than FNMA and they WILL bust their financial ass without appraisers. Stop grabbing your ankles!

Funny, same thing happened to my brother in-law. He was an Appraiser and worked for government and FBI visited him at his job. He told them smart enough to find me at my work but not smart enough to find out he’s an Appraiser. LOL

Amen, in Accurately labeling photos is only a venial sin. Insinuating purposeful guilt is worse. The best photos are of the MOVING Van blocking the view in the photo of the comp

Oh the stories!! most were true, those over a drink may have been stretched, those that told stories that worked were the best. following buses, school buses is still dangerous and invites the neighbor-watch to alert the cops. Appraisers must defend against all accusations some are more important than fee schedules. A friend took pictures of an FBI agents recent new home (a comp), and the local police, the sheriffs and the FBI knocked on his door at midnight.

Consider the overworked underwriter making quality decisions at a remote desk in a remote office, far from the quality of the security. This is the protection of due diligence, for the lender and all of the eventual buyers of the loan. All those involved try to push the burden to another. Appraisers are a link in the chain, no better, no worse than the others.

Shifting blame and officialese does not make us innocent.

Might we us our expertise, time involved and realistic fees to represent our situation to the pols who burden us?

We have to be a Client-Agent of some one, we don’t have to advocate any other than ourselves. Being an advocate of our selves causes us to write-photo our reports creatively. At one point in carrying out an assignment you have earned your fee. Your client can renegotiate, considering the undisclosed task at a greater fee.

REO’s are but one reason to modify inspection requirements. I had a VA occupied REO which was running BIG JACKS GUARD DOG Service. The VA accepted outside descriptions and photos