BiggerPockets

Depends what kind of site you want I guess.

I could see you limiting access to most forums to people with avatars. Reason being, most I have seen are fairly professional. They give the site and the poster a far more serious demeanor. Real money is made and lost in these forums through deals made, ideas exchanged, and networks enhanced.

If you want things a bit looser and more friendly I would say no.

I think you strive to be in that first category so frankly I like the idea. If you want to participate here, don't waste our time. Invest a little yourself up front in your profile, present yourself as a real serious person who cares enough to get and offer real advice, and really contribute to the goal of collectively enhancing the memberships wealth base through your knowledge and activity.

I think you can guess my vote. I do not think it should be required, though I am planning to add one for myself in the next few days or weeks. I think there are a lot of people who have one question and would not want the additional hassle of adding a picture before that. Some of the people who come to ask one question will be impressed with the quality and speed of answers from this site and become active members.

The other reason I oppose the requirement is because, as Curt pointed out, this is not facebook, and a professional image should be used. That is the reason I do not have a picture yet is because I don't have any which I feel are professional enough, but I guess I will put one up anyways.

I think a compromise of requiring a profile picture once you reach a certain level of involvement in the site would be a better policy.

Thanks for the feedback so far. Let me stress that I'm talking about a profile image . . . while a professional headshot is preferable (I've discussed this many times before), any image is better than none.

Ray - We don't allow people to use their pic to advertise, don't allow religious or political statements, and don't allow images of famous people or copyright images. When we see these, we reset the image and send the user a message letting them know about our TOS in regards to pics. Otherwise, the quality of the pic isn't an issue for us.

Again, it behooves the user to use an image of themselves if they want to build their credibility, but some folks would rather use an image of something else. I'm fine with that.

Personally I'm more interested in a member's profile than in their picture. I think those who don't complete their profiles and give credible information about their business should be prevented from participating after a certain grace period.

I also vote no. I think someone's credibility should be based on their actions, not if they have an avatar. A lot of my questions are about issues I'm having with tenants and I would be much more hesitant about posting them if my picture was included.

I know I could add a picture that isn't my portrait, but what is the point?

Speaking of avatars, what happened to mine? I can still see the photo on my profile, but not on my posts. Edit: Now I can't see it at all

Otherwise, no, don't require them. It justs invites abuse if somebody really doesn't want to. I would much rather have a way of verifying people's names so they aren't on here using a handle or phony identity. Not sure how that can be done, however, without adding a great deal of workload to an already busy site.

My answer would be NO. I see this site as a way for investors, whether experienced or novices to learn.

Take myself for example, I could label myself as RE Investor, Prop. Manager, Former Landlord etc; but I put Homeowner right now because that is my current status. I want to "flip", but before I "flip" I like to have some real good solid points, so I have better success when I find the property I wish to buy.

I've been watching the posts in the past week since I joined BP and I decided to pay the small fee for PRO. Why! Because it allows me and others a wider expanse.

It is not how many times you prepare or respond to a post, it is what you say that matters and to make requirements like you suggested would cut the number of posts on the site.

Seems like this is something important to you Josh this topic is being brought to the table again.

1. If I talk here about having $xxx,xxx in cash that I want to invest, why would I want anyone to connect that cash with my picture?

2. If I discuss tenant issues, specific problems, I do not want local people to know my problems. This is not much a problem in SoCal - but think of your users in smaller MSA's.

3. I do not need my employees knowing about profits, cash flow, etc on different projects. Why would I broadcast such private info if I knew it could be traced back to my real identity?

4. If I want to do business with someone, the last thing I care about is the way that he/she looks. This is business.

I can give a thousand reasons why people should be allowed some privacy.

I still do not know when my user name was switched to my actual name - when did that happen?

I don't think it should be required. I can say though when I am scanning through a topic I always slow down when I see an avatar of someone I remember.