Why would someone take a picture of our house...

[elgerber]

If you just moved in a few months ago, it's most likely as a comp for someone elses appraisal.

 

[hambirg]

Oh gosh, I am sooo guilty of this. I drive for a living and I'm always taking pictures of people's houses because I like the color combination, or the style of their front door or their landscaping.

It sounds like your situation is most likely the insurance company or something.

Honestly, I can understand why it would freak you out a little bit though.

 

[*BTMRR*]

Maybe it was someone from the family that lived their before you. I took a picture of my childhood home recently when I was out that way.

When we were on a trip one time, we passed through a city where DH had lived as a boy. He wanted to see the home where he had lived, so we drove by it--and he leaned out the car window and took a bunch of pictures. I was embarrassed and felt sure we'd be pulled over by the police for acting suspiciously!

 

[LuvOrlando]

When I was landscaping I took some pictures of houses where I admired the work so I could duplicate the look. No way to know for sure but at least it's a safe explanation, it could be a similar reason, maybe the person admires the style of your house, your lighting fixtures or brickwork or something like that.

 

[hopemax]

We had someone knock on our door and ask if they could take a picture of our front deck. They were going to be redoing theirs and were out looking for ideas.

 

[asta]

One of my daughters had a class project that required photos of different styles of windows. She drove around the neighborhood and took several photos. In hindsight, she should have stopped and asked permission because a week later one of the neighbors sent out a warning about 'someone' taking pictures of her house.

 

[Myothername]

Hate to be a downer but years ago I had a stalker who took a picture of our house. I didn't think much of it at the time. Just saw him. Then later on a neighbor caught him filming me and my son in our yard playing. I put 2 and 2 together and realized it was the same guy. Called the police then and they didn't tell me what they did but they said they just let it be known he should not be doing that. Never saw him again. I hope they took him out in a field and beat the snot out of him. It was a small town in Texas so it could happen...

 

[Disneyland1084]

I work at home a couple days a week, including today. I'm sitting in my office a couple of minutes ago and just happened to look out the window (blinds shut) to see a car stopped in front of my house. I peaked outside and noticed the driver taking a picture of our house and then driving off. Why would someone do this? There have been a lot of break-in's in our area over the past few months so I'm a little freaked out!

Maybe it's someone from your Homeowners Insurance. My insurance guy said he occasionally sends his employees out to take photos of homes when he feels it's necessary.

 

[7165red]

4nana, that's right, I almost forgot about that.

 

[Amy&Dan]

This happens with me a lot and even though I know its for some sort of real estate type thing, it sort of creeps me out.

 

[cm8]

Oooh! You're right. When we got our assessment from the town, it had a picture of our house taken from the street. So, yes, it could be someone from your town or county. Or maybe Google, for the "street view map"

Google did that to our neighborhood and I was standing outside, so they could not take my picture. Funny how they can take a picture of your house w/o your approval, but they can't post your face picture

 

[tvguy]

I would call your insurance.
Last year out of the blue I got a letter from my insurance with a photo of my house. I knew it was recent because I had just put a flag out that I didn't have a month ago.
It said that they were cancelling me because I didn't have a handrail on the front steps. I had been with the same insurance agency for over 35 years, 25 here in this house and 10 at my first house.
I called them and told them I would have someone put a handrail up within the next few days and email them a photo but they said no, they were cancelling.
I wound up getting another policy really easy, and pay less now than I had with the first insurance so it was a blessing.
My neighbor is going through the same thing right now, her insurance (different from mine) said they will drop her unless she gets a new roof put on within the month. It is November and cold here. Not a good time to get a new roof. It doesn't leak but they won't wait till spring.

This too. My SIL got a notice from her insurance company that the treee house and the trampoline need to come down. They only would have known about them if they had been out to the property.

Big Brother and Insurance companies are watching! LOL

OP, as you can see, there are many reasons why someone could be taking a picture of your house. I still say it is Google! LOL

This isn't the first thread I've seen on this, it must be a regional differnce. I asked my neighbor, who has been an insurance underwriter for 35 years about getting canceled because your insurance company says you need a new roof, or such, and he said in California it was illegal. They CAN cancel you if an issue isn't fixed after they pay a claim because of that issue, but before that, they can't.

 

[mrodgers]

Google did that to our neighborhood and I was standing outside, so they could not take my picture. Funny how they can take a picture of your house w/o your approval, but they can't post your face picture

Why can't they? They certainly can. Visit the photography subforum here and talk about the same thing as this thread. As long as no one is trespassing on your property, they can take a picture of you, your house, your yard, your bushes, your garden, your garbage can, anything that can be seen from public access.

It could be that, in the Google sense, they chose not to take or post images of your face, but there is nothing in law that can stop them if they do chose to do it. Do a google search on photographer's rights.

Same with the other comment I saw about someone taking pictures and video of them playing in the yard with their children. If you are in view from public, which would be the street or sidewalk, a park, or anywhere that is not private property, there isn't anything the cops can do about it. It was stated that the cops did say "just let it be known he should not be doing that..." but that is exactly what the cops shouldn't be saying. They can investigate, but there is nothing in law that states this is illegal. The amendments to the constitution on the other hand and how photography fits into it does say, and it's the opposite of what the cops informed.

Just wanted to throw that out there for you all just to let you know you are being misinformed if you think there is something illegal about anyone taking a picture of your house, property, or even you from the street.

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

I stop by houses I think and take a picture. No one seems to care usally, had one lady invite me in for milk and cookies

 

[Ephany]

Google did that to our neighborhood and I was standing outside, so they could not take my picture. Funny how they can take a picture of your house w/o your approval, but they can't post your face picture

If I street view my house and scroll around to my neighbor, their (at the time) 12 year old in right there in the driveway. It's a few years old now, but I did mention to his dad just so he'd know his son is there for anyone to see. The resolution is pretty awful though, so I'm not sure anyone who didn't know the family would know who it is.

 

[mrsklamc]

A blogger I subscribe to goes for walks in nice neighborhoods and takes/posts pictures of houses she likes.

 

[Kurby]

i've taken a few pics of houses for different reasons but usually because they have a plant or tree in the front i like

one had a beautiful rock garden and another was the car in the drive way (was trying to tell dh the kind of car we should be looking to get as our next one)

most of these were taken from my cell phone though - prob wouldn't have been noticed

 

[Tiggernut_jadie]

Knowing I was moving and most likely would never be in the area ever again I went around my childhood neighborhood and took pictures of the houses I lived in plus some favorite childhood places. I even took a picture of some of my relatives old homes where I spent many hours with them.

I highly doubt that was the reason for the person taking a picture of your home, but you'd never know. I hope it was just what other posters suggested.

Maybe it was someone from the family that lived their before you. I took a picture of my childhood home recently when I was out that way.

I've done this too. We've been researching our family history and if we find that a house which a distant relative lived in is still there we take a photo and use it to identify them if we don't have a portrait one to use.

I've also moved away from where I was brought up and if I'm ever in the area I go and take photo's of the house I was born in (which was built FOR my parents by my Mum's father who was builder!) and my grandmothers house as well as other places I remember well.

 

[Disnydad]

Could be insurance. When we write a new policy I have to take front and rear photos to submit to the company underwriters. Then the company will send field underwriters out to re-inspect every 3 to 5 years. Those are often done with just a photo from the front. If they want to see the rear, they'll send a letter first informing the policyholder.

 

[bicker]

Funny how they can take a picture of your house w/o your approval, but they can't post your face picture

How so? People have rights to their own image; houses don't.