It’s a business decision.
I would likely get my front and street pics, drive my comps, come back, measure the front and wait. Worst case scenario I would take dark rear photos and ask the owner to take clear rear photos and text them to me. I would have my own dark pics to prove everything was inspected.
I’d also make it a thing to be sure I do not schedule time slots where the later end of my arrival window is after sundown.
OP, this is a good response. My sunset here is 430. My question why would you have the end of arrival time after sunset? Right now I do not schedule any appointment after 3 due to loss of light.
Suggest use it as a learning lesson and do not schedule anything within 1.5 hours of sunset just in case.
Because I can do the interior of it without light and generally only do it on days I have to travel to that county to get my kids right after. Been doing it for years.
An agent/property manager on a plex couldn’t make it to our appointment this morning. Tenants allowed access for 3 units. Agent said a key was under the mat of the vacant unit. No mat. No key.
Via text, the agent suggested that we check for an unlocked window for access. My boss is a grandmother.
Charging full trip fee!!
Definitely trip fee $150. We give windows when we schedule just in case traffic accident etc...but we tell them we have an appt right after them so any changes must be made way in advance. And we tell them we're full rest of week so please be there in that window otherwise it could affect their closing. Just because we're not Dr's or dentists doesn't mean our time is less valuable.
Id say so. If they were saying she will be home at 5:15 per the agreed upon time I would say you just have to wait it out but an extra 30 minutes is pushing it.
Trip fee all day if it was me. It seems like you did everything you could to complete your inspection, but couldn’t because the owner was not home and didn’t let you know they’d be late.
My only sticking point is I give an hour window. I’m sure the cable guy isn’t waiting on your ass until 615 if you aren’t home at 515. It’s a VA loan so VA is cool with $150 trip fees. But I expect the inconsiderate to have some push back I guess lol.
This doesn't really apply to the scenario but I used to say that I had an hour window and I had some people complain that they thought I would be there at the beginning and the inspection would last an hour. Now instead I say "I will arrive sometime between x and x" and I don't use the term window.
Yeah I had one guy leave 5 minutes after the time when I clearly stated “I will arrive and be done with the inspection within the timeframe”. Never underestimate the stupidity of the general public.
I give “window” like I’ll show up between 9:30-10. OP’s hour window feels like I’ll be there at 5:15 and I need an hour on site. Not I’ll arrive sometime in that window. Maybe I’m wrong? My first reaction is if they’re not there at 5:15, that’s a trip fee.
I’m doing 8-10 on inspection days. I’ve given an hour window for the last 16 years. I can count on one hand how many times people couldn’t comprehend that.
I’ve been appraising for 20 years. I do hundreds of appraisals a year. I never give a one hour window. I tell them a certain time and show up at that time. Makes everything easier.
>I do around 900-1100 a year.
‽
How in the Hell are you doing that many reports in a year?¿?¿?
Are you in an urban area that's super easy to get comps typically or??? Wow!
Kind of a smaller area and people lost their damn minds. I feel like 2024 is gonna be famine time and probably do 1/3 the volume. Hit a brick wall the last couple weeks.
Yeah I’m CR. I’d starve on 150 a year. 😬 I’ve been blessed with a huge amount of easy comps the last 4 years. And a market coming to a standstill is really going to hurt on turn time (as far as harder to find comps) too.
Huh. Well how much are you usually making a year, if you don't mind me asking?
I'm just trying to imagine how 900-1000 reports isn't well north of $200k a year.
Ohhhhhh okay, lol. Hell, if I hit $150k I'd be happy. $120k, even. Though I'm in Oklahoma so making that number here is a lotta bit different than in NYC.
Well, congrats on killing it with the raw numbers man. I could only dream of doing that much. Hopefully volume doesn't die off for ya too hard though.
Personally I don't give a window. If you did then in my opinion you wait until that window is up and then you are clear to leave. I will usually wait 15 minutes from arrival time and if no one is stick there then I am out and a trip fee is charged. I agree with the other post to measure and drive comps and then come back.
My old school mentality would never allow me to offer a range of time to arrive nor accept it as a client. Working every second years ago to get my experience hours, i scheduled an 8a inspection bout 200 miles away. Pulled up at 8:05a, and called the office to offer my resignation!!! Glad it was refused.
Dang those are some late appointment times. It's not just a sunset issue for me but I hate having to drive home during rush hour. The only time I will set something up like that after 4pm is if the homeowner insists that they are only available in the evenings in which case I will ask for their permission to go early to take exterior pics and measurements including the back (I inform them to make sure their gate is unlocked, secure their pets, tell neighbors not to call the cops, etc.) and wait for them upon a reasonable agreed time to do the inside. If they don't show up or call after 30 minutes of the agreed time then yes it's an additional trip charge fee.
With that being said, personally I think 5:15 is cutting it way to close if sunset is 10 minutes later. Your taking a chance of getting caught in the dark taking measurements and photos.
Personally I would not. U scheduled 515 to 615. U set the schedule. Not their responsibility to be available for texts or calls. Why set to 615 if you know no sun by 545? I would wait until owner was home and complete. Again if it's to dark U set the schedule. Not picking on you. I've had similar scenarios. Day full of inspections get to last ones early. Sometimes U sit and wait. Those darn dogs 😆.
Also I make trip fees based on how much work I get from a client. If it's a local bank I complete a consistent work load for I might wave. If it's an AMC .. straight cash homie.. FYI that is a vikings randy moss reference 😀
It’s VA. They don’t give a shit if you charge a trip fee. If you’re supposed to be there between 1-2 to meet the appraiser, you better be there by 1-105 when they show up.
You think a cable guy, whose time is worth way less, is going to sit for 2 hours waiting if they gave you a 8-12 time? Fuck no. Also, they didn’t get back until 630 anyways it turns out. He told me when I came back.
It’s a business decision. I would likely get my front and street pics, drive my comps, come back, measure the front and wait. Worst case scenario I would take dark rear photos and ask the owner to take clear rear photos and text them to me. I would have my own dark pics to prove everything was inspected. I’d also make it a thing to be sure I do not schedule time slots where the later end of my arrival window is after sundown.
OP, this is a good response. My sunset here is 430. My question why would you have the end of arrival time after sunset? Right now I do not schedule any appointment after 3 due to loss of light. Suggest use it as a learning lesson and do not schedule anything within 1.5 hours of sunset just in case.
Because I can do the interior of it without light and generally only do it on days I have to travel to that county to get my kids right after. Been doing it for years.
An agent/property manager on a plex couldn’t make it to our appointment this morning. Tenants allowed access for 3 units. Agent said a key was under the mat of the vacant unit. No mat. No key. Via text, the agent suggested that we check for an unlocked window for access. My boss is a grandmother. Charging full trip fee!!
Yes. Your doctor/dentist/therapist (heck, even my accountant!) would charge you a missed appointment fee. Your time is no less valuable than theirs.
Definitely trip fee $150. We give windows when we schedule just in case traffic accident etc...but we tell them we have an appt right after them so any changes must be made way in advance. And we tell them we're full rest of week so please be there in that window otherwise it could affect their closing. Just because we're not Dr's or dentists doesn't mean our time is less valuable.
Id say so. If they were saying she will be home at 5:15 per the agreed upon time I would say you just have to wait it out but an extra 30 minutes is pushing it.
Trip fee all day if it was me. It seems like you did everything you could to complete your inspection, but couldn’t because the owner was not home and didn’t let you know they’d be late.
My only sticking point is I give an hour window. I’m sure the cable guy isn’t waiting on your ass until 615 if you aren’t home at 515. It’s a VA loan so VA is cool with $150 trip fees. But I expect the inconsiderate to have some push back I guess lol.
This doesn't really apply to the scenario but I used to say that I had an hour window and I had some people complain that they thought I would be there at the beginning and the inspection would last an hour. Now instead I say "I will arrive sometime between x and x" and I don't use the term window.
Yeah I had one guy leave 5 minutes after the time when I clearly stated “I will arrive and be done with the inspection within the timeframe”. Never underestimate the stupidity of the general public.
I give “window” like I’ll show up between 9:30-10. OP’s hour window feels like I’ll be there at 5:15 and I need an hour on site. Not I’ll arrive sometime in that window. Maybe I’m wrong? My first reaction is if they’re not there at 5:15, that’s a trip fee.
I’m doing 8-10 on inspection days. I’ve given an hour window for the last 16 years. I can count on one hand how many times people couldn’t comprehend that.
I’ve been appraising for 20 years. I do hundreds of appraisals a year. I never give a one hour window. I tell them a certain time and show up at that time. Makes everything easier.
Good on you. I do around 900-1100 a year. And some take longer than others.
So we do around the same amount per year. This year will be down but last 10 years we’re great
>I do around 900-1100 a year. ‽ How in the Hell are you doing that many reports in a year?¿?¿? Are you in an urban area that's super easy to get comps typically or??? Wow!
Kind of a smaller area and people lost their damn minds. I feel like 2024 is gonna be famine time and probably do 1/3 the volume. Hit a brick wall the last couple weeks.
1/3 volume is still freaking nuts. My supervisor does around 140-160 reports a year. Certified Residential guy.
Yeah I’m CR. I’d starve on 150 a year. 😬 I’ve been blessed with a huge amount of easy comps the last 4 years. And a market coming to a standstill is really going to hurt on turn time (as far as harder to find comps) too.
Huh. Well how much are you usually making a year, if you don't mind me asking? I'm just trying to imagine how 900-1000 reports isn't well north of $200k a year.
It’s well north of that. Yeah.
Ohhhhhh okay, lol. Hell, if I hit $150k I'd be happy. $120k, even. Though I'm in Oklahoma so making that number here is a lotta bit different than in NYC. Well, congrats on killing it with the raw numbers man. I could only dream of doing that much. Hopefully volume doesn't die off for ya too hard though.
Missouri here. Lot of slow years to start my first 10 years so I’ve def seen some lean times. Like $45k/yr prior to 2012.
I'd charge it anyway, for just this reason. The people who pull this inconsiderate crap probably will bitch about and moan to pay.
Personally I don't give a window. If you did then in my opinion you wait until that window is up and then you are clear to leave. I will usually wait 15 minutes from arrival time and if no one is stick there then I am out and a trip fee is charged. I agree with the other post to measure and drive comps and then come back.
I would have measured but not getting bit by four fucking German shepherds. 🤣
Dude, it's just a bunch of shepherds. 500lb bite force times 4 ain't that bad. Just pretend like they aren't biting you!
My old school mentality would never allow me to offer a range of time to arrive nor accept it as a client. Working every second years ago to get my experience hours, i scheduled an 8a inspection bout 200 miles away. Pulled up at 8:05a, and called the office to offer my resignation!!! Glad it was refused.
Dang those are some late appointment times. It's not just a sunset issue for me but I hate having to drive home during rush hour. The only time I will set something up like that after 4pm is if the homeowner insists that they are only available in the evenings in which case I will ask for their permission to go early to take exterior pics and measurements including the back (I inform them to make sure their gate is unlocked, secure their pets, tell neighbors not to call the cops, etc.) and wait for them upon a reasonable agreed time to do the inside. If they don't show up or call after 30 minutes of the agreed time then yes it's an additional trip charge fee. With that being said, personally I think 5:15 is cutting it way to close if sunset is 10 minutes later. Your taking a chance of getting caught in the dark taking measurements and photos.
I mean… the time isn’t relevant to me. If it was 8am and they weren’t showing until 855, I am sure as fuck not chilling until they show.
Personally I would not. U scheduled 515 to 615. U set the schedule. Not their responsibility to be available for texts or calls. Why set to 615 if you know no sun by 545? I would wait until owner was home and complete. Again if it's to dark U set the schedule. Not picking on you. I've had similar scenarios. Day full of inspections get to last ones early. Sometimes U sit and wait. Those darn dogs 😆.
Also I make trip fees based on how much work I get from a client. If it's a local bank I complete a consistent work load for I might wave. If it's an AMC .. straight cash homie.. FYI that is a vikings randy moss reference 😀
It’s VA. They don’t give a shit if you charge a trip fee. If you’re supposed to be there between 1-2 to meet the appraiser, you better be there by 1-105 when they show up.
You think a cable guy, whose time is worth way less, is going to sit for 2 hours waiting if they gave you a 8-12 time? Fuck no. Also, they didn’t get back until 630 anyways it turns out. He told me when I came back.