If you ask any property manager what they love most about their job, chances are they won’t say “driving across town for inspections.” Coordinating schedules, dealing with no-shows, and sitting in traffic – it’s a major drain on time and money. 

And yet, inspections are non-negotiable. They protect properties, ensure tenants aren’t trashing the place, and keep owners happy. But the traditional inspection model is outdated. It relies on in-house staff (or pricey third-party inspectors) to physically visit properties, creating a logistical nightmare for property managers and a massive expense for property owners. It’s 2025, not 1985, and it’s time we acted like it. 

Most property managers factor in the obvious inspection costs – paying a staff member or hiring a third-party inspector. But the real expense goes much deeper: 

Lost time

Every hour spent in traffic is an hour NOT spent on growth, tenant retention, or business development. And not only that, but have you ever cancelled plans with your partner to do an inspection because the tenant said it had to be at that time, only for them to not be home? That’s not an easy conversation to have with the tenant or your partner… 

Locked doors

When a tenant doesn’t answer the door, you don’t just waste time, you waste money and energy rescheduling and driving back. This is particularly bad when you’ve sacrificed an evening or weekend to do an inspection but the tenant refuses to do you the same courtesy. 

According to AAA, the average cost per mile for a business vehicle is $0.81. Multiply that by dozens of inspections per month, and it adds up fast, even for small journeys – doing just a 30 mile round trip 20 times a month works out at $486 a month in mileage alone. That’s money that can be better spent elsewhere. 

With virtual inspections, there’s zero travel time. No mileage. No insurance concerns. You don’t need to do anything because we handle it for you. And if a tenant doesn’t show? We’ve lost a few minutes, not an hour and a half, so rescheduling is no big deal. 

Resident Inspect isn’t some self-guided app where tenants snap a few photos and call it a day. That’s been tried before, and the results are… inconsistent at best. 

Here’s how it actually works: 

No more tenant excuses

Tenants can’t “accidentally” forget to show a broken door handle or leaky sink when they’re on live video. We don’t leave a stone unturned. 

Real inspectors, not tenants

Unlike self-guided inspections, the tenant isn’t in control. They’re simply following the inspector’s instructions, which means they can’t hide anywhere or claim they “didn’t know” they had to show the mold problem under the bathroom sink or the lease-breaking above ground pool in the back yard. 

This ensures quality and accountability without the need for a property manager to physically step foot inside. 

Let’s talk numbers. Before launching, we conducted extensive market research to find out exactly how much property managers were spending on inspections – and how much they could save by switching to virtual. 

After running the calculations, we found: 

• Traditional in-house inspections cost $70–$90 each when you factor in: 
  • Staff wages 
  • Payroll taxes & benefits 
  • Admin time for scheduling & rescheduling 
  • Travel costs (fuel, mileage reimbursements, wear and tear on company vehicles) 
  • Unproductive downtime from no-shows and last-minute cancellations 
• Third-party inspectors cost even more, typically starting at $100 per visit, with some charging even higher fees for properties in remote locations or urgent inspections. 
• Resident Inspect’s virtual inspections are significantly less costly at just $45 per inspection, with no travel, no wasted time, and no overhead staffing costs. 

That’s a savings of $20,000–$33,000 per year – without cutting corners on compliance or quality, and in some cases actually improving inspection quality. 

For 600 inspections a year, that’s 900 hours annually – more than five months of full-time work just spent on inspections. 

Virtual inspections eliminate travel and cut the process down to 30 minutes per inspection, slashing the total time spent to 300 hours per year, and it’s completely handled by our team. That’s 900 hours saved, or the equivalent of a full-time employee gaining five months back every year. 

The Bottom Line 

Cutting costs on inspections doesn’t mean cutting quality. Virtual inspections provide the same level of documentation, compliance, and oversight, or better, at a fraction of the price. 

And the best part? You can try it for free. 

Tenants hate inspections. And being real, we kinda understand why… 

No one likes the idea of a stranger walking through their home, taking photos, and making notes. It feels invasive. And if you’ve ever had to coordinate an inspection, you know the drill: 

• Tenants cancel at the last minute, 

• They “forget” and aren’t home, or 

• They complain about the timing – because, of course, your 2 p.m. Tuesday slot isn’t exactly convenient for someone with a job, is it? 

For property managers, this means frustration, wasted time, and delays. Rescheduling inspections, handling tenant complaints, and dealing with access issues make what should be a simple process feel like pulling teeth. 

Resident Inspect eliminates these problems. With live virtual inspections, tenants no longer have to deal with the stress of a stranger in their home, and property managers don’t have to chase them down to get the job done. Here’s why it works better for everyone: 

We have Tenant-Friendly Scheduling – We don’t offer rigid daytime slots. Evening and weekend inspections are now an option, so tenants don’t have to rearrange their work schedules. 

Our Inspections Are Less Invasive – Instead of feeling like their personal space is being invaded, tenants can walk through their home with their phone, showing only what’s needed. 

Our Inspections Get Higher Attendance Rates – With virtual inspections, if the tenant misses their appointment it’s easy to reschedule without wasting anyone’s time. 

Tenants Actually Like This 

There’s a difference between making inspections more convenient and making tenants actually prefer them. But the numbers speak for themselves. 

According to Resident Inspect’s latest data: 

• 97% of tenants say they prefer virtual inspections over in-person ones. 

• 4.85 out of 5 stars is the average rating from tenants on the inspection process. 

And the remaining 3% weren’t against virtual inspections, they just didn’t have a preference. 

That means zero tenants actively disliked our process. That’s pretty outstanding! 

Happier Tenants Means Fewer Complaints For You 

By making inspections easier and less stressful, you cut down on unnecessary friction between tenants and your management team. Fewer complaints mean fewer headaches – and fewer headaches mean more time to focus on profit-building tasks instead of playing referee. 

A Better Experience for Everyone 

Switching to virtual inspections improves the tenant experience. And when tenants are happy, property managers benefit from: 

• Fewer disputes over inspection timing. 
• Less pushback when scheduling inspections. 
• Higher tenant retention rates, since the rental process feels less disruptive. 

Let’s talk about worst-case scenarios – the kind that keep property managers awake at night.

A tenant insists they reported a leak months ago, and now there’s water damage. They’re furious. Maybe even taking legal action. Your records? Incomplete. The last inspection? Rushed because your field agent was running behind. Suddenly, you’re in a blame game with no way to prove what actually happened.

This is exactly the kind of headache Resident Inspect was built to eliminate.

Why Traditional Inspections Leave You Exposed 

On-site inspections are often inconsistent. Maybe an inspector forgets to check under the sink. Maybe they rush through because they’re behind schedule and have a viewing across town in 10 minutes. Maybe they did document an issue, but the notes are vague and now you’re left scrambling to explain why nothing was done. 

Inconsistent inspections means compliance risks. 

When inspections aren’t conducted properly, you’re opening the door to tenant disputes, potential legal trouble, and frustrated property owners who expect you to stay on top of things. 

Virtual Inspections Make Compliance Foolproof 

Resident Inspect solves these issues by turning every inspection into a time-stamped, geo-located, video-recorded process that leaves no room for dispute. 

Tenants Can’t Play the “I Forgot to Mention It” Card

If a tenant walks right past an issue on video, there’s clear documentation that it was missed during their inspection. No more debates over whether something was reported or not. 

A Backup Plan for When Things Go Wrong 

Even with the best management practices, things can still go wrong – and when they do, documentation is everything. 

If a tenant files a complaint or legal dispute, having a digital inspection record protects you. Instead of relying on memory or handwritten notes, you have video proof of the property’s condition on a specific date. No ambiguity. No missing details. Just clear, verifiable evidence. 

Aaron sums it up best: 

Resident Inspect’s inspections safeguard property managers from unnecessary liability. 

Change is hard. No one likes stepping away from “the way things have always been done.” But in property management, clinging to outdated processes costs time, money, and a lot of unnecessary stress. 

Despite the clear benefits of virtual inspections, some property managers hesitate. Let’s break down the most common objections. 

Concern #1: “Virtual inspections aren’t as thorough as in-person ones.” 

Some worry that if no one is physically inside the unit, things will get missed. Surprisingly, virtual inspections are often more thorough and consistent than in-person ones. 

A Standardized Process Means No Missed Steps – Every Resident Inspect inspection follows the same structured process, ensuring that key areas aren’t skipped. Traditional inspections? They’re as good as the person doing them. If they’re distracted, rushed, or forgetful, things get overlooked. 

Less Tenant Interference – In-person inspections can be awkward. Tenants make small talk, steer conversations away from problem areas, or subtly position themselves to block the view of damage. Virtual inspections remove these distractions – inspectors stay on track, ensuring nothing is ignored. 

Video Documentation – Instead of handwritten notes and hurried photos, everything is recorded in real-time. If something looks questionable, it’s documented instantly, leaving no room for uncertainty later. 

Bottom line: Virtual inspections aren’t just as good as in-person ones – they’re often better because they remove human error. 

Concern #2: “What if the tenant hides something?” 

This is a valid concern – but one that applies just as much to in-person inspections. If a tenant wants to hide damage, they’ll do it whether someone is physically there or not. 

But virtual inspections actually make it harder for tenants to pull this off. 

Guided Inspections Means No “Accidental” Omissions – Our inspectors direct the tenant exactly where to go and what to show. There’s no casually avoiding the mold spot behind the fridge. 

Consistency vs. Trusting the Tenant’s Lead – With traditional inspections, the tenant naturally controls the flow – leading an inspector where they want them to go first, filling time with chit-chat, and subtly steering attention away from problem areas. A structured virtual process prevents this – they go where we tell them. 

Field Inspections Aren’t a Magic Wand – Even in-person inspections rely on visibility. If damage is hidden under furniture, behind doors, or stashed in a closet, a field inspector won’t find it either. Virtual inspections don’t create a new problem – they just don’t pretend this problem doesn’t exist. 

Bottom line: If a tenant is going to hide damage, they’ll do it no matter what. Virtual inspections actually make it harder – not easier – to manipulate the process. 

Concern #3: “I just don’t like change.” 

This is the real one, isn’t it? For some, the hesitation isn’t about logistics – it’s about comfort. Change feels risky. But every major industry shift – from online rent payments to cloud-based management software – was once “new” too. 

Remember When Online Rent Payments Were “Too Risky”? – Now, 75% of renters expect the option to pay online (National Multifamily Housing Council). The companies that adapted early got ahead. 

Property Management Is Moving Digital – Like It or Not – The industry is already shifting to automated communication, digital leasing, and AI-driven maintenance requests. Virtual inspections are part of this natural evolution. 

The Companies That Adapt Always Come Out Ahead – The best property managers don’t resist change – they use it to gain an edge. Those who switched to online tenant applications, automated lease renewals, and AI-driven maintenance tracking are now running more efficient, scalable businesses. 

Bottom line: Virtual inspections are where the industry is heading. Getting ahead of the curve now puts you in a stronger position for the future. 

Virtual inspections are the logical next step for modern property management. The industry is moving towards digital solutions, and those who adapt will reap the benefits – lower costs, fewer headaches, and a better experience for both property managers and tenants. 

Resident Inspect is here to make your inspections effortless. If you’re still spending hours on in-person visits, wasting money on travel, or dealing with tenant no-shows, now is the time to try something different. 

The Top 7 Takeaways

1. Traditional inspections are outdated, expensive, and a logistical nightmare.
   Property managers waste time and money driving to properties, dealing with no-shows, and handling scheduling headaches. Virtual inspections eliminate travel, reduce costs, and streamline operations.
2. Hidden inspection costs add up fast. 
   Lost time, mileage, insurance, and rescheduling costs make traditional inspections far more expensive than they seem, without even thinking about staff costs or third-party inspectors. Switching to virtual inspections means saving thousands every year. 
3. Resident Inspect makes inspections seamless, consistent, and more reliable. 
   Unlike self-guided apps, every virtual inspection is conducted live by a trained professional, ensuring nothing gets missed and tenants can’t “accidentally” skip problem areas. 
4. The financial savings are massive. 
   For a property manager handling 300 doors, switching to virtual inspections can save $20,000–$33,000 per year, which is money that can be reinvested into growth, staffing, or better technology. 
5. Virtual inspections aren’t just about saving money – they save time too.
   Traditional inspections waste hundreds of hours per year on travel, admin, and waiting around. Virtual inspections cut the process down from 1.5 hours to 30 minutes, freeing up months of staff time annually.
6. Tenants actually prefer virtual inspections.
   Ninety-seven percent of tenants say they’d rather do a virtual inspection than have a stranger in their home. Fewer scheduling conflicts, less stress, and more flexibility mean fewer tenant complaints and smoother operations for property managers.
7. Virtual inspections protect property managers from legal disputes. 
   Time-stamped, geo-located, video-documented reports mean no more “he said, she said” arguments over property conditions. If a tenant claims they reported an issue, there’s video proof of exactly what was covered in the inspection.