I'm with the others, I am up at the crack of dawn before anyone else is up. If there is someone outside I come back or if that is not an option I have learned to hold my camera low enough and it's not seen - or at least the folks outside don't know what it is, then I casually drive off like I was just stopping and looking around for another house.

And make sure that you don't have a fancy camera that might attract undue attention - you may seem like a minnow that is thrown into the shark tank - a tasty meal for the local thieves! For BPO work, an older digital camera works just fine.

Number one, always think ahead of time!
I would suggest not scrimpping on your camera either. I use a Pentax Optio with 10X digital and 10X optical, I can get an addres on a mail box and moss on a roof over a block away. If I need to get close the camera is silver and my phone is a Treo and it is also silver close to the same size so I have my phone on my ear than a quick change, take a picture than change again. I have taken a picture with a porch full this way once.I also do not want to attract attention so depending on the area I drive a Jag with heavily tinted windows or a Jimmy with factory privacy windows and only one is down so people on the other side can't see what I am doing. I also try to find a listed house or FSBO close by. If there is a FSBO, change the conversation to, do they know the owner? Can you drop there name when you contact the FSBO? Have they thought about selling or know anyone buying or selling. It seems no one likes to talk with a salesperson long, unless they are planning on selling, at which time you offer to do a free CMA for them and get some great shots.
And always be cheerful and smile, a
friend of mine said you can call some one anything as long as you say with a cheerful smile. Think about it if you call someone a crazy s.o.b. with a joking smile no problem, say the same thing with anger and narrowed lips, get ready to block the punch.
Basically be prepared for anything and remember your other job - selling real estate.
Oh and have a great day!

Great tips, Bard. I want one of those 10X cameras. Down here in Texas, a lot of people spend a lot of time in their yards with the barbeque pit and the picnic table. I have to take my pics before 4 PM or I run a high risk of the homeowner sitting on the front porch.

I also had a couple of episodes. One lady told me to get away from her home and when I proceeded to take the photo she ran in the house like she was going to get something then ran back outside and started shaking something in her hand.I kindly told the lady that I'm only doing my job and please don't come to close to my car or I will be forced to protect myself. I carry pepper spray and mace. You just have to be careful and stay safe as much as possible because these people are already upset that they are loosing their homes, they become very irate and feel as if their world is crumbling. We just don't know these peoples mindset, it can take just as little as a photo to really set them off, you never know.

Never been chased, but my URL is on my car, and I've been called a couple of times and questioned. I tell them the lenders typically check on their investments from time to time, and I am not told the specific reason for the request. So far that has worked fine, and I haven't lied.

Bard, my partner has a 10x and it is amazing!! He bought it on ebay for $100 or so.
I also drive an old car that has been through the ringer...at least on the outside but it still gets 34 mpg and no one give it a second look. Try to always remember my baseball cap, too.

Is it just me, or does it bother anyone else to feel a need to explain our actions? The last time I checked, photography was not illegal. I know, I know, we must always be professional, but, does anyone else ever have a desire to tell someone who asks what are you doing, "I'm minding my own business...what the f@*k are you doing? Get away from my car before I get angry!" Does anyone else feel this way, or is it just me? And again, no, I would never respond this way in reality, but, i have to tell you, some people really push the envelope sometimes!

ACTUALLY, what I always want to shout from my window as I drive off is simply, "Call your bank, or better yet--make a payment!"

LOL @ lizl!! Yes, that is a good one too!

The majority of the BPO's we do are not in default. Please understand that.

That's true, Real Deal, but I'm still tempted to rattle the cages sometimes.

The majority are not in default, that's true; most are portfolio purchases. But it does get to you sometimes that people get so bent out of shape because someone is taking pictures. I had one man come out one time and tell me I couldn't take photos of the house across the road from him. I told him I could take pictures of anything I damn well please as long as it was from a public roadway. He paused and said, "oh well---okay"

The majority of mine are in default. Most of my BPOs are in a city not too far from me. Approx. 1/3 of the residential sales there are REOs. I'd say 75% of my total orders are because of default.

Ky realtor, you are so right! As long as we do not cross over onto private property to get a photo, we have every right to do what we do! Also, just like you, Makin' Money, most of my bpo orders are in default as well. I scan the local paper that advertises the foreclosure postings in my county, and it has almost become a game to see which of the properties that I inspected the previous week have been posted!