What a good dog!

[Zen]

I got up too early this morning and rode a little bit of the Cycle Across Maryland ride. After deciding I was horribly unprepared and just plain tired I gave up, came home and took a three hour nap.

While I was laying on the couch, the little dog (Roxina)
(ok, that's not really the little dog, this is) started barking at something. Then the big girl (Ginger aka Gingy)joined in. I got up to discover a man right outside the door taking photos of the house. I told him to get off my property or I would let the dogs out. He was saying something but the dogs were so loud I had no idea what it was. As far as I know there is no reason for anyone to be taking photos of my house.
He seemed to be getting pretty cocky, going as far as to put his foot on the low wall of my porch, leaning forward and resting his forearm on his knee.

So I let Ginger out.

I had no idea how this was going to play out since I'm not the person who trained her but my gamble paid off.
She stayed on the property but told him in no uncertain,teeth-baring terms to get the heII out of there which he promptly did.

I'm so proud of my girl.

[Eden]

Sounds like he did not handle it well, but he could have had a legit reason for taking photos. Often when an appraisal is done a few other comparable houses in the are will be photographed and included in the appraisal. Then again he could have just been some weirdo....

[Zen]

Appraisal comps are done from recent listings of houses for sale or recently sold.
I've seen lots of those lately.

His camera was pink
No professional man would use a pink camera.

[TxDoc]

Did you ask for his name? it's always worth investigating people that show interest in your house.
Of course he could be more than legitimate, for example architecture students do this all the time - or people like me that have chosen architectural photography as a hobby... BUT, until you know that someone has a legitimate reason (or a warrant) to collect evidence at your house (and pictures are evidence) - it is a good idea to look into it.
But, hey, tell Ginger "good job"!

[Zen]

I thought of many possibilities and decided that, depending on the need for photos, he could have left a card or given advance notice.
All I know for sure is I live alone and trust no one.

[Duck on Wheels]

Good dogs, both of 'em! I assume you gave them treats and rubs? I can't think of any good reason for a stranger to come all the way up your walk to the front door and be taking pictures. If he's just interested in the architecture, he can see it from the roadside, and even that would be a bit spooky for me if I were living alone. We get people doing that here, but we know they're looking at the fjord view between our house and the neighbors. Other places I've lived, I'd've been spooked.

[sgtiger]

I agree with Zen, if he had a legit reason for being there he could have knocked on her door to ask her permission since she was home. If he found that she wasn't home, he should probably still leave a note explaining what he was doing in case neighbors noticed and reported it to her when she returned. I'd find it creepy too if a stranger was taking pictures of my home without permission. Hopefully he's learned something from this experience because I've met homeowners that have a policy of shoot first and ask questions later.

[jesvetmed]

Zen: I'm with you -- if it's legit they should knock and let you know before just wandering around your home. Good dog, Ginger!

[Andrea]

She stayed on the property but told him in no uncertain,teeth-baring terms to get the heII out of there which he promptly did.

*golf clap*