I am 6' 3" and I weight train 3 times a week.

I do not always dress like a real estate broker when I am taking pictures.

I know that my presence at a delinquent borrower's property is not welcome.

I feel like a vulture circling in for the kill.

When I examine my pictures at the office, sometimes I can see that the homeowner is peeking out from behind the shades.

I did a BPO on a $740K house (highest end of the market in these parts). The homeowner came marching out immediately. When I asked her if I could take a picture of the rear of the house, she said to come back Monday. When I said I would tell the bank that the homeowner would not allow me a rear view, she exploded, took down my license number and said she was calling the police.

She treated me like I was the hired help. The bigger they are, the harder they fall.

Do the banks really need all of these BPOs or are they used as another way to pressure the borrower's?

Most of us BPO providers are a bit more circumspect in following instructions from clients.We cruise the area, identify the subject,note condition FROM THE STREET, IN OUR VEHICLES!!! and avoid contact with the occupants/borrowers.[unless of course it is an interior]. So I hardly think the banks are harassing the borrowers when they should not EVEN KNOW that the BPO agent is in the area.

I would never trespass on an occupied property. Even if a BPO may call for a view from the rear of the property, if it can't be done without trespassing, I don't do it. Read the instructions provided with your assignment. It will indicate if it's all right to call the homeowner. IF it is all right to call the homeowner, you may request permission to take a photo from the rear. If no contact info is provided or your instructions are to NOT contact the property owner, I try to get a view from a different angle. Trespassing is never appropriate.

In many cases, the property is listed. Sometimes I can take a rear view over the fence. I agree, though, I wouldn't go onto a property without trespassing. Often the occupant will let me in when I tell then I'm using the photos for marketing comparables for the bank.

It is not my intention to harass the homeowner. I am not getting combat pay and I do not wish to get shot.

I try to be as discrete as possible and I dread getting assignments for isolated properties that are hard to take pictures of unnoticed.

That said, at $3+/gal of gas, I am going to take several good pictures and I will not be rushed. I do not want to make the drive again because of sloppy picture taking.

The lady in my last post confronted me in the street. I was not trespassing. She knew the purpose of my visit before I told her. I was very polite. She was not.

I guess it is the multiple BPOs on one property in a short period time that I question.

When the BPO was for a refi, the homeowners smiled if they noticed me. They have not been smiling lately.

Dude, just stay in your car and learn to take photos like a spy.

I take pictures from my car and take off. I get very good quality pictures and if I saw someone coming out of their house I would take off.....I don't get paid enough to put my life on the line

Really. Most explicitly state "Do not contact the homeowner or occupants." !!!!

I guess they want multiple BPOs because they want to make sure that the value is in a tight range. As someone on this site once said, they can get ONE opinion [appraisal]for $350 or MULTIPLE [7 BPOS] opinions for $350.Being in the BPO business, I am reluctant to complain...

See this is exactly how I feel. I even go so far as to take my pictures through the car window without rolling it down. I have tinted windows and it's just less conspicuous this way. The photos can be lightened very easily later.

When I was brand new to BPOs, I got out of my car to take pictures and got noticed. Not gonna do that again!

No. There are many reasons why a BPO may be requested, and some aren't even for possible foreclosures. I'm not as stealth as my husband is at taking photos, but I can still get these shots very quickly. I take the street sign and street scene before I approach the house; as I approach the house I get the first side, front, address #, and then second side. I rarely get a back shot unless the house is on an ally or backs up to a street. I take all these photos, even if they are not requested, so I have them for my file if there is a QC question. It takes practice, but you really can get good photos without taking much time to even stop the car. On the few times the occupant has noticed me, I just keep going. I takes them more time to get in a car and follow me than it does for me to get out of the neighborhood.

Yeah, they're used to harass the homeowner... To pay their mortgage!

Ok, sarcasticness (is that even a word?) aside, why would you even speak to the owner? I see anybody approaching me, I'm getting the hell out of there. I work in some tough areas, and do not need drugs, hookers, stolen items, or to get shot, let alone, talk to an irrate owner who's pissed off cuz they're losing their home.

Yeah, getting out of the car is not advised! Most of the time my requests specifically state not to discuss with anyone, especially the homeowner- so I would rather not be in the situation where I have to explain myself. I have gotten really good at taking the street scene while driving! My camera has a huge screen on the back so I just set it on the steering wheel, zoom a bit so the hood doesn't show and take the pic. Makes for a quick getaway. I don't usually even roll down my window either. My camera is pretty good, so I haven't had an issue. My husband doesn't understand why I want to be so discreet- I tell him it's because I'm female, live in CA and am therefore not allowed to carry a gun (legally). I don't want to get chased down by a crackhead- there are alot in my area.

Today my car was in the shop so I had to drive my husband's Jeep which has REALLY loud exhaust. So much for being discreet.

^^ LOL - same sort of thing happened to me - I had an 8am deadline to do an interior so I had to do the photos before sunrise (long story) but the neighbors were very curious to find out what I was doing, lurking about looking for a lockbox in the dark with my truck's engine running and it's lights on so I could see!

Anyhoo, found out that my dh was getting out of his car and photographing my bpo's from all angles - lol - I said "OMG - you're not supposed to do that! Cue the 'Mission Impossible' theme and be a spy!"

This will take a little planning, but get yourself a few copies of The Watchtower, and keep them in your car.

Then, next time an occupant comes out to see you, tell her that you are with the Jehovah's Witnesses, and that you would like to talk about her spiritual condition for the next four hours. Hand her a Watchtower.

She will forget about your camera, and run the other way like a scalded dog!

^^Good One!

When I first approach a house I try to get my street and address ver. done before getting the front shot if possible. And if at all possible I try to be heading out of the neighborhood when I get all shots or at least my last shot.

Today I had one in my neighborhood and was able to take my dog for a walk to get my photos done before 7am. Caught them before they were out of bed.

Now that's funny! I may have to try that one the next time the neighbor gets too noisy!

I recently had a homeowner come sprinting out of his house and jump in front of my car before I could make a hast retreat. I stayed calm and polite as he walked to the side of the car, the conversation went like this.

homeowner-"Why are you taking pictures of my house?"
me-"It's a public road and I am allowed to take pictures of anything I like"
homeowner-"who's it for?"
me-"the owner" this confused him and he had a perplexed look on his face as he repeated.
homeowner-"The owner???" obviously thinking he was the owner.
me-"the bank"
homeowner-"the bank?"
me-"they hold the mortgage on the house"
a light bulb went on and he offered to let me take pictures of the side and back, I told him I had everything I needed and thanked him and left.

I never got out of the car and used every effort to be dicreeet and only made contact with the occupant after he made it clear the only way I was gonna get out of there was to give him some kind of explanation. Also, I talked through the window and didn't put it down.

A lot of times I'll have an address or street in mind to give if anyone questions my activities.

You asked to go in her backyard for a driveby??

I would have called the police too!

lol...i think the term is Sarcasm.

Why? I was on the street and the homeowner flew out of the house and said "Can I help you?" When I said I was sent by the bank, she said "You are here to appraise the house?"

It was only then that I asked her if I could take a rear view picture as I assumed it was for a refi.

This house is on a cul-de-sac pie shaped lot without much frontage. I could not see much of the house from the street and a rear view would have helped me reach an accurate valuation.

I appreciate the responses. This forum is great. My local competition would never discuss BPOs so until now I have had to learn everything on my own.

I get out of the car on every BPO. I get confronted about 1 out of 70 BPOs. I just tell the occupant that I have no idea why I have been asked to take pictures and that I am paid very little and that I am just trying to do my job.

The banks do imply that a rear view picture would be good, but they cover themselves by advising not to trespass.

I like the Watchtower magazine tactic. Once, when I was showing a HUD the police pulled up. When I pulled out a business card and asked if they wanted to buy the house, they took off like Dracula in daylight. Run! It's a salesman!

i usually just tell em i am doing a market analysis on a house on the next block and it is the same size as theirs. When they ask which one i say i cannot tell them as it is not listed. then ask if they are looking to move!!!! wink

Thanks Reggie! I forget real words sometimes when looking for acceptable adjectives to describe POS houses all day.

I don't care how little I'm getting paid, I never, ever get out of my car. 1 out of 70 it one too many.

couldnt get the quote thing to work so as BPO Drone stated
"I get out of the car on every BPO."
Hey me too,but actually I get out,ring the doorbell ask if I can come in and chat.Maybe see the interior so I can get a better value on the home;) Hopefully they will offer me some coffee and then I ask them why they are behind on there motgage or if its for a refi I ask how much do they want to get out of there home!!
LOL glad the week is over. and p.s I have never got out of my car

UPNG: That was all tongue-in-cheek, right? Extreme sarcasm? Pretty dang funny, girl.

In answer to the original topic whether BPOs are used to harass the homeowner: If not, they should be.

I weigh about 150 lbs soaking wet and haven't been to a gym in over a decade. My .45 would put a nasty hole in some big 6'3" dude like you.

Stay in your car. $50 isn't worth a visit to ER to get a bullet pulled out of your chest.

I'm with Crash...I'm doing a cma and there are no pictures of subject's comps in mls/ tax base so I need one of theirs for comps

I described my appearance because to some I may look like a suspicious person. I lift weights to relieve stress not to intimidate people.

Lots of concealed carry gun permits in my state so I am very polite to others. I thought California was safe from handguns.

No bank has ever complained that I submit too many rear views or that my pictures are too clear.

For those too timid to get out of the car to take a picture, what do you do when you have to visit the occupant to arrange for their departure from the property?

That initial meet and greet before you can say cash-for-keys can be tricky.

For those too timid to get out of the car to take a picture, what do you do when you get a listing in the ghetto with drug dealers loitering in front?

- There is a difference between getting out of the car to take a picture and going behind the property to take photos of the back (by the way, I get out of the car often, but out on the street). I don't know what type of Drive-By BPOs you are getting, but at least the ones I get don't require a back shot and my clients are perfectly happy with a front shot, an address verification, and one or two street shots, generally. I agree with everyone else here that trying to get anything else that involves setting foot on the property is not worth the small fee I'm getting paid for the job, neither in effort nor risk to my life.

- To arrange for an occupant to get out... do an eviction and the sheriff shows up with you on eviction day. It costs the bank money but, at least in Florida, it's the legal and (generally) safe way to do it.

- How CFKs are handled varies from person to person. My take is, why risk harm or trouble? Comply with the bank's request in the best way you can that doesn't put you in the path of a bullet.

- Handle properties in really bad areas by going in the middle of the day, bringing someone with you, and doing the most basic required work keeping safety in mind. Or, perhaps better, decline the assignment if you can do it without a negative effect on future business.

Adolfo: Thanks for a wonderfully lucid post!

BPO Drone,

I hope you take my comments with a laugh because I am pulling your leg a bit.

Most BPO companies don't want you to tell anyone what you are doing. One company even states a law or case on the bottom of their BPO assignments.

I have done my share of Occ. Checks and CFKs and have no problem knocking on the door. Of course I'm not making $50 for an REO and I need to know what's up with the property at that point.

If I get out of the car my foot is off the gas pedal and it takes more time to "shoot and scoot" on to my next BPO. Time is money.

I do get out of my car for the street shot. I can shoot the verify pic, the front shot and side shot sittin' in my car. I try to get my pics done as quickly as possible.

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For those too timid to get out of the car to take a picture, what do you do when you have to visit the occupant to arrange for their departure from the property?

That initial meet and greet before you can say cash-for-keys can be tricky.

For those too timid to get out of the car to take a picture, what do you do when you get a listing in the ghetto with drug dealers loitering in front?




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It's not about being timid- it's about living to see my kids grow up! I have a husband that I can use on special occasions for 'muscle' if I need it. I take him with me on some interior inspections if I am not comfortable. He is not available for daily drive-by BPO work, so I don't get out of the car EVER. It's just not worth it. Besides, running in high heels is not recomended! ha ha

As a matter of fact, he is going with me tomorrow on an occupancy check... Man I love my hubby

BPO Drone,

I don't think your an agent or know what a BPO is.

Chip

Chip - How can you tell? Is it that obvious?

Rats, I have been exposed and here I thought I was fooling everyone using this BPO lingo.

Cali Broker- I understand you are pulling my leg.

My original post did not come across the way I intended but I learned some things from the answers provided.

I do think the banks can be excessive ordering multiple BPOs for a single property and I question the motive.

I recently did a BPO and the owner flew out and started complaining that a Re/Max lady had just visited to do a BPO.

I will be posting a few more questions dealing with issues that have bothered me over the years. Then I will be done.

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I do think the banks can be excessive ordering multiple BPOs for a single property and I question the motive.

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I think this is done becuase we can come in all over the board. the main reason for this is because we don't see the inside of the home or most of the comp homes. I think they are trying to average out their vaules. Also to make sure that the 1 BPO is on the right track. Just my opinion.