I always position my car so I have a way to get away after I take the pics. Never let your self be in a position where you can't drive FORWARD and away from the house quick. I don't ever get in a postion to talk to anyone, so I never have to give any excuses. Someone comes toward the car, I just leave.
I did once have a woman sneak up from behind me while I waited for people to leave a porch. She came right up to my (half open) window and began questioning me. In my opinion, she wasn't to bright. How does she know how dangerous I might be? I could be a angry ex-husband, a nut or a criminal..and she put her self 2 feet from me? Not too smart. I avoid all conflict. Remember, its only $50.

Its a few bucks people....never never leave the car. Going home to your family is always more important then a little bit better picture or you need to snap one more extra one.

I also NEVER get out of my car. If it asks for a rear picture and I can't get it I just submit another picture of the front or the side. I have never been QC'ed on it. If you are getting out of your car to take a rear picture you must be traspassing.

NEVER get out of the car....it is just to dangerous.

i guess if i lived in South West Burbs of Chicago i would feel the same way, of course it only takes one crazy person wherever you are...

Call me crazy, but I go to the subject, get the right house 995 out of 1000 times. In my ten years, the advent of the house # photo requirement is the killer. I assume they came up with it because of to many wrong pics. But every time I have had a contact, and they are never ggod, it has been because I had to make some kind of accomadation to get the # photo. I think the folks ordering this have some culpability here.

jdharpe....I live in the south west BURBs of Chicago not the South side....hehe

is that by 8 mile?

Of 3 recent orders I have been approached on all three. One by the home owner, crying, asking if I was from the bank because they are trying to save their home but do not know if it's possible. The two others were "older" neighbors, very concerned about why I was taking pictures of the street and what appeared to be one of their neighbors homes.......of course you can't say " what are you the neighborhood watchdog?"If you answer one question they want more...So if they ask why are you taking picutres and you say I'm an appraiser. They ask for who. I'd like to think of a name that doesn't belong to anyone or any thing like Tranportation Mortgage. I think they just want an answer. On the otherhand, there have been a time of two that I was really nervous and just left with whatever pictures I had. Maybe we need to take out a big ad in the newspapers that says Many of your neighbors could be having financial difficulties and perhaps it is none of your business about who may have been hired to take pictures of their homes for the purpose of appraisal for their lender. Please be advised that many nore picture takers could be on your streets within the next few months. Tbey are harmless, leave them alone to do their work!

A grizzly adams type dude came after me yesterday.

Grizzly: Can I help you?

Me: Nope. Just getting some pictures.

Grizzly: Who fer?

Me: The building inspector.

Grizzly: What?!?!

The property is currently under renovation. I bet he calls the town tomorrow to obtain a permit. Sometimes I can't help myself.

He looks like Santa in the doorway. Like the window "treatment".

Next time they ask if they can help you ask for a glass of water.

ROTFLMAO!

I may use that one Ryan!!!

funny stuff ryan...