Buying a house - taking photos

hcb42

No way

People have been buying houses for years and years, before technology was available. How did we ever cope? Taking pictures of a stranger's home is intrusive and unnecessary. I would probably kick you out as well:(, in fact no probably about it!

go and sit in a bar with the OH, and try and try and sketch the layout of the favourite houses you viewed as you discuss them. You will remember plenty of key details then!

casper_g

TOBRUK wrote: »

I also drew a rough floorplan as soon as I could after to help remember what the house was like.

Don't the estate agents do that for you?

Errata

If you can't describe something to another interested party, take someone with you that can. If you get things mixed up, take someone with you that doesn't.

Marvel1

If the property was empty I wouldn't mind, but I still live here then I would be a bit cautious over it.

Davesnave

hcb42 wrote: »

No way

People have been buying houses for years and years, before technology was available. How did we ever cope? Taking pictures of a stranger's home is intrusive and unnecessary. I would probably kick you out as well:(, in fact no probably about it!

Yes, we also do the washing in a dolly tub. Damn this technology stuff, eh?

As someone who used to view places over 100 miles distant, involving land and oubuildings, I usually took photos outside on a first visit and inside if we went back. Permission was never refused. I'd do photos on a first date if the vendor wasn't present, (agents don't refuse) or if, as sometimes happened, it was a vacant place & we just let ourselves in with a key.

Outdoor photos were generally the more useful to us, but it's amazing how often something regarding the interior comes up when you are safely home, 125 miles away. On older properties, the absence of a floor plan, or anything to help build one, can make thinking about them afterwards a bit of a nightmare.

I can understand people's reticence on this matter. Related burglaries have happened, though proven cases are few & far between. However, using a good camera makes it much easier to see all the things missed while the owner/agent was whisking you around, even for a second time.

And never mind the valuables, it can be quite entertaining, seeing what some folks have on their bookshelves/DVD racks!

Running_Horse

If you need to refer back to photos to decide whether a house is the one, then it's not the one.

No way would I let a viewer take photos of my private home.

Jojo1daffy

Davesnave wrote: »

I'd do photos on a first date if the vendor wasn't present, (agents don't refuse)

And never mind the valuables, it can be quite entertaining, seeing what some folks have on their bookshelves/DVD racks!

I'd be calling the police and sacking the agent. :mad:

Errata

while the owner/agent was whisking you around, even for a second time.

Simple solution to this - don't allow yourself to be whisked.

phoebe1989seb

The couple buying our house came armed with a camera on their second viewing (after we had accepted their offer) and whilst they did ask before they began taking pics I was more than a little concerned as we have a number of antiques that they specifically asked if they could photograph as they wish to try to recreate the look of our house when they move in :eek: As we knew by then that they were very keen on the house we were happy to oblige, but it did initially set alarm bells ringing!

Davesnave

Jojo1daffy wrote: »

I'd be calling the police and sacking the agent. :mad:

Then you'd look silly, but there's no law against that either.

Some of you are rather overheated about this. People possess varying degrees of visual recall. When photos can aid those who are weak in this area, it's a bonus for the seller. Even if someone rejects the house when they study the pictures, it's time that's not wasted by either side on another fruitless viewing.

There aren't just two piles marked 'Yes' and 'No,' but a third marked 'Maybe.' I'm living in a 'No' that was moved into the 'Maybe' category on the basis of much argument and poring over the computer, discussing what could be done with it. Even now I'm not sure! :rotfl:

I'd agree that a house that one falls in love with probably doesn't need photos, but finding one of those is incredibly hard. All my purchases have been sensible rather than sentimental; boxes to tick & all that.

But as I've already said, I never took photos without asking for permission, except when there was no one to ask, and most of the really useful shots, except when we had no floorplan, were external.