We’ve all been there before. You drive for an hour for an inspection. When you get there, you knock on the door, only to have it opened by the kids. You ask them if their parents are home, to which they respond, “No.” When you call the parents, they say something like, “Oh, I’m not home right now, but the kids will let you in.” Now what? Where do you go from there?
This is an awkward situation, and one that requires some care and good judgement on the part of the appraiser, especially in today’s world. Unfortunately, there are those who will exploit any situation, no matter how innocent, to get what they perceive to be some kind of gain. In situations like the one above, I’ve found it very important to listen to my “spidey senses.” If I feel uncomfortable at all with a situation, I pay attention to that feeling. If you feel the need, by all means reschedule the appointment, but for situations where that might feel like overkill, here’s a trick that I like to use.
When I show up at an appraisal and mom and dad aren’t home, I turn on the sound recorder on my phone. I start it in the car, and leave it going until I’m back in the car. That way, if accusations are ever made, I have recorded evidence of the entire visit, and it’s not just their word against mine. It’s simple, but worth the security it provides. Never be afraid to protect yourself from uncomfortable or potentially hazardous situations.
For more information on this subject, please listen to The Appraiser Coach Podcast Episode:
