Taking pictures when it is really storming can help lessen the amount of people around that might be wondering why your taking pictures as quickly as possible and getting the heck out of there!

Also I try to take the smaller SUV to take pics, because it is smaller and quieter than my diesel truck. Makes things less obvious. Plus I seem to have a knack of getting bpos in dead end lanes with not a lot of space to turn around.

I've gone to using my cell phone for BPO pictures. It's really lessened the "freak out" factor. When I was using a regular camera, people would approach me and ask what I was doing. Most of the time they weren't to excited to see me. Now, I jump out on a drive by BPO and pretend to fiddle around with my phone. In a minute or two, I have the 3 pictures I need and I'm driving away. On my computer, I run the pictures through an editing program to fix lighting, crop and resize. I'm even doing interiors with it now.

Before going to an Interior, google the address, if there were any incidents there that got reported it will usually show up on the local newspaper website.

I leave the cell phone in the car so it does not ring while I am taking pics. Don't slam the car door or activate the alarm to take quick exteriors. Those two actions are sure to bring attention to yourself. I take street photos from a block or two away, then zoom in my camera before approaching the property to take the address closeup. Zoom back out for quick front and two side shots.

For lockbox combos: I like to use the number of the address or the last 4 numbers of the address.

Missing photos: I keep all my pic's. Occasionally I have forgotten to get the street photo. I can go back through my photos and many times I have some from same street on an earlier bpo

That might be a good thing in some areas - maybe not so much in an area not composed of Monks, Knights, Clergy or other people of honor.

As a matter of fact - I do my darnedest not to need to get out of the car, and then I know our to get out of the neighborhood quickly in the direction the car is already going.

My big tip is GET REGISTERED with as many BPO Companies as possible, but do your research to ensure that you're not signing up with companies that have a horrible reputation.

There's a good, free, comprehensive list (220+ companies) online at http://www.bpo-companies.com with links to each company to help registration.

Do not pay money or buy anybody's list of "400+ BPO Companies", because this is the sort of thing that should be free & open to all professionals (just feeling some ire after seeing 20 or 30 buy a list sites in Google).

Various agents say various things, but generally speaking you want to try & touch base with the regional asset manager at your BPO Company, so that they know you're in the market, willing to accept orders, and a dependable person. Just don't drive them nuts with phone calls.

Also, keep in mind that a "high volume" company depends on what region you're in: if you live in Los Angeles, you're going to see a LOT more LPS orders than rural Ohio - so don't freak out if you sign up with LPS and don't instantly see a bunch of work.

Also, the chief of IT at Quandis (manages IT assets for Old Republic, Equity Pointe, and RealServ) told me that they use a sophisticated program that searches for "cookie cutter comments", so avoid using them if possible (most agents re-use marketability comments, but try to do so thoughtfully and be sure they apply if you decide to do this).

i also used roboform and loved it. it also is very reasonable.

I'd love to know your standard blurb for "this is not an inspection..." Jen

#16 - Keep your original BPO's on file for reference when you do a follow up BPO so you don't contradict yourself or put your foot in your mouth.

Some useful linkes.

Image resizer that can be done with a simple right click.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx

Florida Condo Docs online
http://www.flcondodocs.com

BPOs online generated and stored
http://www.bpoforms.com

Fannie Mae REO forms and Bpos
http://www.amnforms.com

Bpo helpful guidelines
http://www.nabpop.com

In a pinch and don't have a front view photo. Google street view.
http://maps.google.com/help/maps/streetview/

HOw is this?

“Notwithstanding any preprinted verbiage to the contrary, this is a broker price opinion of the subject
property specified on this report. This is not an appraisal of the market value of the property. If an
appraisal is desired, the services of a licensed or certified appraiser must be obtained.”

I was out taking pics today and I got a small part of my car mirror in the photo. (I hate it when that happens.)

I found a real neat web site that lets you edit your pics for free without having to download any software. It really works well, and I wanted to share.

http://www.lunapic.com

Wow, this is one the best threads that I have read in this forum. There's so much to learn. I'm a part-time, newbie investor - just got started this year. Thanks folks.

I have to confess, I've busted out the photo editor and "cleaned up" a Google photo for those comps where the listing agent decided he/she would only use interior pics. It's enough work to go out and take photos of subject, but to make a second trip to take pictures of comps in MLS?

Hiding the Google marker balloon is no fun....