I know I've stated this before when the subject came up, but it's called a drive-by for a reason. It's not a "get out of the car and walk around the house-by".
I also love the "no people or pets in photos" instruction. Who wouldn't want to see a photo of a snarling pit bull in front of the house. It says a lot about the neighborhood.

I have gotten out 2 times. And that was only as the subject was on such a busy street with no curb parking so there was no other way to do it. But I tried to be sneaking and just taking the picture quick as I was walking by from across the street.

This has worked a bunch of times for me- "I am on an assignment for your neighbors bank. I don't know what the particulars are but they need some pictures of the neighborhood. I am really not supposed to say anything else. Sorry, good bye"

No one ever wants to think I am there to take pics of their house.

Never stop long enough for someone to ask me anything, certainly do not let anyone approach me in the car. like someone earlier, if it is a dead end, I always turn around before taking any shots, that way i can get out of there fast.

I agree, a drive-by is just that! Don't waste time parking and getting out when you can get just as good of a photo from your car...

Sometimes a pic of the rear of the house is required...What to do then?

Other than that I stay in my car.

Only provide rear photo if home is on a corner or it can be seen from another road. Otherwise provide a second side shot, preferably one that shows rear feature such as covered patio.

I agree with the group.....if you have a choice, never, never leave your vehicle......the key words are "have a choice". There are times when you have no choice....example: Subject property was near new, located on small lot, 2200 gla. small front yard (house set close to street), street was narrow in front of property, cars parked on both sides....had to shoot from middle of the street(in the car).....picture would not capture entire frontage of home....how do you overcome this one without getting out of your vehicle? I had to park down the street, get out of my vehicle, walk back to the subject and shoot from across the street.......was I comfortable?....no way...my zoom in feature works great...I need a camera that will zoom back beyond the norm...do they make such a beast? Most of my clients require frontal shots...no angle shots...any sugggestions on how to overcome this type of situation?

Yes I learned real fast...don't get out of the car for any reason. As a matter of fact, I don't even stop anymore. Yes I am that skilled...I just drive by slowly and start snapping. First drive by, street scene. Second time by, front and address and rear/side. Now, if I can just figure out how to do a drive by interior.

They do, I know they can be as much as $7K but maybe they make them for less?

That one looks like a bazooka, so you won't go unnoticed. You can get a smaller lens for less.

If I am approached by someone I just tell them I work for the bank and I do thousands of these. They just contract with me to take a couple photos, no idea what they are using them for.

I was on a cul-de-sac of 2 homes snapping away. A pickup with a boat blocked the way out and the driver approached and asked for ID. My smart [censored] answer was "unless you have a badge and gun you're not getting S---". He produced both and again asked why I was taking photos of his house. I gave him a valid answer. The privacy laws don't allow the requestor to give us that private financial info. However, based on experience it's generally for, A bank is buying or selling a portfolio, a bank is transfering servicing rights, or establishing the value of their existing portfolio, The property may be a pre-foreclosure, it may be a QC check on a previous appraisal. Any one of these but the privacy laws don't allow a disclosure. That satisfied the cop. However, I continued with my wise [censored] and asked him if there was a local ordinance against taking photos from public property. His answer was no, but they could pull me over as a suspicious person. My photos drivers carry a letter from me advising that their job is taking photos and to call me with any questions. What we do is perfectly legal, but none the less don't draw attention to it. Street scene upon entering the street, let the battery recover, pull near the house and get an angle photo, let the battery recover, than pull in front snap that the photo and drive off. You can edit the front view for the address verification. And shut the flash OFF. Rear view involves trespassing and is out of the question.

that is funny stuff jackreo...

If the house isn't on a corner lot or an alley (so I can get a rear shot from my car), I don't take a rear photo. I have never had a QC issue for that. In my comments I state that it was not possible to take a rear photo without trespassing on private property (which is true).

I second that. I have never had a qc issue with not being able to obtain a rear or side view shot. I have noticed that eml is requiring rear photos in all their orders now.