do home appraisers usually take pictures of the interior?

Question

i'm having my condo appraised for a home equity loan and there is a realtor (not affiliated with the bank) that said she will be taking pictures of the inside of my condo. it seems a strange that she can't just estimate the value of the home by looking at it... and i'm a little suspect about her taking pictures of my stuff.(i don't want her to have pictures of what is in my home) is it absolutely necessary for a home appraisal??

Answer 1

To correct brokerlauren's assertion that USPAP requires inspection photos. USPAP does NOT require appraisers inspection photos...heck, it doesn't even set a requirement to conduct a property inspection (see http://commerce.appraisalfoundation.org/html/2006%20USPAP/ao2.htm)

To set the record straight, USPAP has a "scope of work" rule. The appraiser must understand what "scope of work" that their client requires and report it in the appraisal. Many banks require property inspections and inspection photos to be included in their appraisal. Some banks will require a full interior and exterior inspection, some only an exterior. There are some cases where the bank will not even require an inspection. It's **all up to the appraiser's client** (and by client, I mean whoever *directly* engages the appraiser for their work. In your case, you are the bank's client and the bank is the appraiser's client. Just because it's your house does't mean you're the appraiser's client.)

You shouldn't take the realtor's word for it...you should check with your bank to confirm the depth of the property inspection that they will require for your loan.

An appraiser taking photos during a property inspection is very common. It helps them document the interior structure, interior building quality, any unusual features, deferred maintenance, etc. It's best that they have these photos on file so they can refer to them during the appraisal for the most accurate appraisal possible. In addition, the inspection photos help the bank visualize what they are lending on, as loan officers typically do not do property inspections. These photos are usually the only glimpse the bank gets of the property.

You shouldn't worry about them taking pictures of your stuff...they're taking pictures for documentation purposes only. The appraiser and the bank really don't care about what personal possessions are in the house since they do not factor into the appraisal or the underwriting process.

Oh, and the silly notion that an attractive, uncluttered house will equate to more value is just pure nonsense. Personal possessions just do not factor into the appraisal...they are not part of the real estate! The appraiser is concerned with the condition of the real estate, not whether or not you're a good housekeeper. An appraiser SHOULD NOT factor in personal possessions into the appraisal.

To help alleviate your concerns, you should know that appraisers are bound by USPAP to keep all aspects of the appraisal (including subject photos and value) strictly confidential. The only one they can release the appraisal and subject photos to is their client and their client alone (i.e. the bank). Therefore, the only ones who will ever see these photos are those who are affiliated with the appraisal and underwriting process.

Answer 2

Some appraisers take pictures, some don't -- most MAY take pictures, deciding whether or not to take pictures when they see if there are any unusual factors that might effect the appraisal.

In some areas, taking pictures is standard practice and all (or almost all) appraisers will do so.

In any case, the purpose of pictures is to document the basis of the appraisal. Pictures show whether or not the property was in good condition at the time of the appriasal. This covers the appraiser in case something happens afterwards that changes the value of the property.

Answer 3

I've had homes appraised many times and my husband worked for a real estate company. I have never seen or heard of an appraiser taking pictures of the property they are appraising unless the home is specifically for sale.

Why is there a realtor involved at all? The parties involved should be an appraiser and the bank. If you aren't selling or renting the condo, I don't see why a realtor is even involved. If she is not affiliated with the bank, what is her purpose for being there in the first place?

I would be hesitant to let her in and I would not let her take pictures if I were you.

Answer 4

Unfortunately, yes. But beware! Read on - It is standard in the USPAP (Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice) to need interior as well as exterior photos of the subject property to come to a conclusion of value that will satisfy the bank's underwriter. When you applied for the home equity loan, you asked the bank to give you money based on the value of your condo. They rely on an appraiser's opinion of value to be their "eyes" to determine if the property has enough worth (in the event of your default) to sell and regain the investment. The banks generally use a variety of LICENSED appraisers (not real estate agents, unless they are LICENSED appraisers). The appraiser has to be in independant source, so they are not usually affiliated with the bank ordering the appraisal.

To be safe,

1. Verfiy with your loan officer that the loan officer has ordered the appraisal and ask who they ordered it from. (Double check that it is the person you noted in your question.)

2. Make sure your valuables are out of sight. As a rule of thumb, the home will be more attractive (and therefore valuable) if it looks simple and uncluttered anyway. You can take out all your decorations and heirlooms after the photos are taken.

3. Be home when the appraiser comes by.(You can verify their license, just ask to see a copy, make a copy for yourself, ask to see the order, call your loan officer, etc, just something to be sure that the person wanting to enter your home and take pictures is who they say they are.) It's your home, as long as you don't get in the pictures, you can stay by their side as they go through the process.

4. Go with your instincts. It's better to be safe than sorry. Call your loan officer and let them know your concerns. If you are uncomfortable with the person who is coming to your door, ask that someone else be sent. You can do this with tact, not offending anyone. Appriasal firms usually have a few people working for them that they can choose from.

Answer 5

No this is not usually necessary. The person appraising should know just from looking at your home what is what and be able to value it. The only people I have had photographing my home is estate agents who were selling it which is fair enough. But valuers (if they know what they are doing) should not do this as standard. The only thing I can think of is that she is not qualified to give a proper value to you herself and is acting as a go-between for someone who can. She may then be taking the pictures to show them to help them get an idea of your home and provide a valid price. There's probably nothing more suspect than this to it but if you don't feel comfortable then just get another realtor involved.

Answer 6

We have our mortgage refinanced a few times and each time the appraisers only measured the actual square footage but did not take any picture. If the appraiser sees something out of the ordinary such as an add-on partition to a room, or some really out of place modification then he would need to take picture for the record to show the reason for the extra value. I certainly would not want him to take pictures of my personal belongings.

Answer 7

I've had my home appraised and no one ever took pictures.

Answer 8

no, only if there is a thing that is wrong or needs to be fixed, other wise it is not necessary.
She sounds like she might be out casing your things. I would be careful if I were you. You will be robbed soon.

Answer 9

No they just measure the outside

Answer 10

They do sometimes.