It’s a scenario most lenders know too well: a loan is moving along smoothly until the property inspection says, “slow down.” Maybe it’s a borrower/property contact who can’t afford to take a half-day off work to wait for a real estate professional to come to the home, or a rush file that sits in limbo because schedules didn’t align. When the inspection becomes a bottleneck, it not only slows progress but also creates unnecessary friction for everyone involved.
A “one-size-fits-all” approach to obtaining data on property is becoming harder to justify. At Valligent, we’ve found that the best way to keep a pipeline moving is to treat inspections like a toolkit. The goal is to match the level of scrutiny to the loan’s actual risk and complexity.
The shift toward virtual inspections
One of the most effective ways to remove friction is the “eyes on the screen” virtual approach. Rather than having a real estate professional physically tour a private home, the borrower or property contact uses their mobile device to walk through the property; a trained, experienced real estate professional guides them remotely.
It’s a simple change that respects the borrower’s privacy and time. We recently surveyed users about this process, and the feedback was telling: 97% preferred the experience, mainly because it felt intuitive. If a borrower is comfortable using a smartphone, they’re usually more than capable of completing a virtual inspection in a fraction of the time a traditional visit takes.
Which inspection tool for which loan?
Deciding which property inspection type to use usually comes down to balancing speed, risk, and property complexity. Here is a general guide we share with clients to help streamline that decision:
| Inspection Type | Best Use Case | Primary Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual – Scheduled or On Demand (ValINSPECT) | Low-to-mid risk transactions, rush scenarios, need to find cost savings. | Maximum speed; zero time-off, maximize borrower convenience. |
| Disaster (ValINSPECT Disaster) | Don’t need a full inspection, just verifying condition/impact from natural disaster. | Rapid confirmation of the property condition and its impact on the surrounding neighborhood. |
| Standard– Scheduled (ValINSPECT) | High-LTV, complex/custom builds, unique property types. | Deep-dive precision and physical expert presence. |
The bottom line
Modernizing the real estate property inspection process isn’t about choosing technology over tradition; it’s about having the flexibility to choose the right tool for the specific loan at hand. If you’re interested in seeing how the workflow looks for your team, we’re happy to schedule a quick virtual inspection demo to walk you through it. Just contact us today.
