FREA NEWS Taken from the Spring 2000 Communicator. SRA A review appraiser recently commented that he believes that most appraisers take photos only to prove that they personally inspected the property.
Photos can be one of the most powerful and persuasive appraisal tools available to the appraiser.
Beyond providing a representation of the subject, comparables and neighborhood, photos can increase the level of trust a jury may feel toward a witness and clearly illustrate in an instant what sometimes may seem impossible to fully articulate. But what they say and how they say it is up to you. After being on the winning side of several recent trials, I found that my photos were receiving considerable praise. The power of a photograph can literally make or break a case. It has been my experience that good courtroom photographs not only keep the jurors awake but allow them to make their own decisions regarding a variety of issues, such as character of the neighborhood, quality of construction, condition of buildings, adequacy of parking, effect of acquisition upon remainder, etc.