Permission & safety
Enter only with clear permission. Tell someone where you are, wear closed-toe shoes and never open live panels or operate unsafe equipment.
Week 2
The Property Sniff Test
Walking, Photographing & Evaluating a Potential Flip
This week’s mission:Learn to walk a property methodically, capture useful evidence and separate visible repairs from unanswered questions.
By the end of this lesson, you can…
01 • PREPARESet up the tools needed for a property walk.
02 • DOCUMENTCapture organized, decision-useful photos.
03 • OBSERVERecognize visible repairs and warning signs.
04 • CLASSIFYSort major, minor and verify-first items.
05 • CONFIRMAsk the right questions about property systems.
YOUR PROJECT COMMAND CENTER
Meet FlipperForce
FlipperForce brings deal analysis, rehab estimating, project tracking, photos and accounting into one system. We will begin using it now so the observations you collect in the field have a place to go.
- Create your account using the plan directed by your instructor.
- Confirm your login and complete the basic workspace profile.
- Bookmark the dashboard on your laptop or phone.
- Do not enter confidential seller information into a practice project.
Plans and pricing can change. Review the current FlipperForce options and follow your instructor’s enrollment directions before purchasing.
Flip’s rule: Follow the same route every time. A repeatable process reduces missed rooms, forgotten systems and random photos.
Before you arrive
Property basics
Review the listing, tax record, approximate size, year built, utility information and known disclosures before the walk.
Your field kit
Phone or camera, charger, flashlight, tape measure, notepad, shoe covers, gloves and a simple room-by-room checklist.
The recommended walk route
1Street & siteNeighborhood, access, drainage and overall exterior
2Exterior loopRoof, siding, windows, foundation and utilities
3Interior loopRoom by room, top to bottom, same direction
4SystemsPanel, HVAC, plumbing, well, septic and labels
5Final sweepMissing photos, measurements and unanswered questions
Educational boundary: A visual investor walk is not a home inspection. Do not diagnose structural, electrical, environmental or mechanical problems beyond your training. Flag them for a qualified professional.
Good photos let you reconstruct the property after you leave. Every defect photo should have enough context to show where it is, followed by a close-up showing what it is.
01Start wideStreet view, address and all four exterior elevations
02Move room by roomTwo opposite corners plus floors, ceilings, windows and doors
03Document systemsFull equipment view followed by model, serial and service labels
04Pair defects with contextOne orientation photo and one detailed close-up
05Finish with proofMeasurements, utility locations and anything requiring follow-up
Useful photos
- Sharp, bright and level
- Wide shot plus close-up
- Labels and meter readings are legible
- Rooms photographed in a consistent sequence
- Defects include a location reference
Avoid
- Only photographing the “interesting” damage
- Dark, blurry or duplicate images
- Close-ups with no location context
- Photographing people, personal papers or valuables
- Relying on memory instead of notes
Your job is to observe and document—not to force an immediate answer. Look for patterns that may affect resale, renovation cost, schedule or professional review.
Exterior & site
- Roof surface, flashing and gutters
- Siding, masonry and trim
- Windows, doors and exterior penetrations
- Grading, drainage, trees and retaining walls
- Driveway, walks, decks, porches and outbuildings
Structure & moisture
- Foundation cracks, bowing or movement
- Sagging floors, ceilings or rooflines
- Water stains and active moisture
- Efflorescence, musty odors and damaged finishes
- Signs of basement flooding or repeated cleanup
Interior & layout
- Kitchen and bathroom condition
- Flooring, drywall, trim and doors
- Room flow and functional obsolescence
- Evidence of additions or conversions
- Smoke/CO protection and obvious safety concerns
Mechanical systems
- Heating and cooling equipment
- Electrical service and visible components
- Water heater and plumbing materials
- Well equipment or sewer connection clues
- Septic location, history and documentation
Pattern recognition: One water stain is a clue. Stains below a bathroom, at the foundation wall and around windows may point to several separate issues. Photograph each clue and ask what still needs verification.
“Major” and “minor” describe likely project impact—not simply physical size. A small electrical defect can require a licensed trade, while a large painted wall may be inexpensive.
Could it affect safety or structure?Does it need a licensed or specialized trade?Could it change permits, budget or timeline?Is the cause still unknown?
If the answer is yes to the first three, treat it as potentially major. If the cause is unknown, label it Verify instead of guessing.
Likely Major
Roof failureLeaks, structural deterioration or widespread replacement needs
Foundation or structureMovement, bowing, significant cracking or compromised framing
Septic or well failureTesting, repair or replacement may require specialized contractors
Electrical serviceUnsafe or outdated components, panel replacement or service upgrade
HVAC replacementFailed or end-of-life heating and cooling equipment
Water infiltrationActive entry, flooding history, drainage or mold-related concerns
Likely Minor
Paint and patchingCosmetic wall preparation and finish work
Fixtures and hardwareLights, faucets, handles, knobs and accessories
Flooring refreshLocalized carpet, LVP or refinishing when the substrate is sound
Trim and doorsCosmetic replacement or repair without structural changes
Landscaping cleanupPruning, debris removal, mulch and curb-appeal work
Finish updatesBacksplash, mirrors, shelving and other appearance-driven upgrades
VERIFY is a valid answer.Hairline cracks, unknown stains, unusual wiring, low water pressure or missing system history should remain unanswered until the right person or document confirms the cause.
Property Systems Confirmation Board
Use each dropdown to separate what you know from what still requires research or professional input.
0/15 confirmed
Water sourcePublic water or private well?
Well conditionAge, recent test, pressure, known issues and well-pump condition?
WastewaterPublic sewer or private septic?
Septic conditionAge, service history, last pump date and known problems?
Heating fuelOil, natural gas, propane or electric?
Heat distributionForced air, hot-water baseboard, electric baseboard or another system?
Heating equipmentApproximate age, condition, service history and visible label?
CoolingCentral air, mini-splits, window units or none?
Electrical service100-amp or 200-amp service? Breakers or fuses?
FoundationCracks, movement, bowing, repairs or other structural concerns?
Basement waterStains, efflorescence, musty odor, active moisture or signs of flooding?
WindowsApproximate age and condition? How many may need replacement?
RoofApproximate age, layers, visible damage, leaks or prior repairs?
PlumbingSupply and drain materials, visible leaks, pressure concerns or outdated components?
Permits & additionsAny additions, conversions or major work to verify with the municipality?
Ask for evidence: Seller statements are helpful starting points. When available, support them with invoices, permits, service records, labels, municipal information, tests or professional evaluations.
WEEK 2 FIELD ASSIGNMENT
Cash’s Property Walk Challenge
- Choose a property you are legally permitted to enter. A current project, vacant family property or instructor-approved practice property works well.
- Follow the five-step walk route and capture approximately 20–30 useful photos.
- List visible repairs as Major, Minor or Needs Verification.
- Complete the systems confirmation board above and identify the five biggest risks or unknowns.
- Create a practice lead or project in FlipperForce using non-confidential information.
- Bring these field notes to Week 3, when we will turn observations into an organized Scope of Work.