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Document the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current Condition
Document the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current Condition
Document the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current Condition
Document the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current Condition
Document the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current Condition
Document the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current Condition
Document the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current Condition
Document the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current Condition
Document the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current Condition
Document the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current Condition
Document the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current Condition
Document the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current Condition
Document the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current Condition
Document the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current Condition
Document the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current Condition
Document the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current Condition
Document the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current Condition
Document the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current Condition
Document the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current Condition
Document the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current ConditionDocument the Home's Current Condition
Fizbo
PropDoctor

Document the Home's Current Condition

Complete checklist with climate-adjusted recommendations

Overview

Take photos and video of every room, including close-ups of existing damage. This documentation protects you for insurance, warranty claims, and future resale.

DIY FriendlyEasy~60 min

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Prepare your equipment and plan

Use a smartphone with a good camera or a digital camera. Ensure you have plenty of storage space. Create a folder structure by room or by floor. Set the camera to include date stamps if possible, or the phone metadata will record the date automatically.

2

Photograph every room with wide and detail shots

For each room, take at least one wide-angle photo from the doorway showing the entire room, then photograph each wall individually. Capture the ceiling and floor condition. Zoom in on any existing damage — scratches, dents, stains, cracks, or wear.

3

Record a walk-through video

Walk slowly through the entire home recording continuous video. Start at the front door and work through every room, closet, garage, and outdoor area. Narrate as you go — call out the date, room name, and any damage you notice. A single uncut video establishes a clear timeline.

4

Photograph all appliances and systems

Take close-up photos of every appliance showing the make, model number, and serial number label. Include the HVAC system, water heater, electrical panel, and any built-in systems. These photos are invaluable for warranty registration and future service calls.

5

Document the exterior and landscaping

Photograph the roof (from the ground with a zoom), all sides of the house, the driveway, walkways, fencing, and any outbuildings. Capture the grading around the foundation. Note the condition of gutters, downspouts, siding, and paint. Photograph mature trees near the house.

6

Record utility meter readings

Photograph the electric meter, gas meter, and water meter readings on your move-in date. This documents your starting baseline and can help resolve billing disputes with utility companies during the transition from the previous owner.

7

Organize and back up your documentation

Transfer all photos and videos to a cloud storage service (Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox) immediately. Organize by room and date. Consider creating a shared album with your partner or co-owner. Add any notes about damage severity or repair priorities.

What You'll Need

Tools

  • - Smartphone with camera or digital camera
  • - Flashlight (for dark areas like attic and crawl space)
  • - Notepad or note-taking app
  • - Cloud storage account

Cost Estimates

DIY Cost

$0 (using your smartphone)

Professional Cost

$300–$500 (professional home inspection with detailed report)

Safety Tips

  • Be careful when photographing the attic — watch your step on joists and beware of exposed nails.
  • Do not touch or disturb anything that looks like asbestos (pipe insulation, old floor tiles) — just photograph it.

When to Call a Professional

Consider hiring a professional home inspector if you want an expert-level condition assessment with a formal report. This is especially worthwhile if you waived the inspection contingency during purchase or bought an older home.

Pro Tip

Use PropDoctor to store your move-in documentation digitally. Having a complete photo and video record from day one makes it easy to track changes over time, prove pre-existing conditions for insurance claims, and demonstrate maintenance history when you sell.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Taking only wide shots and missing close-up details of existing damage.
  • Forgetting to document the inside of cabinets, closets, and behind doors.
  • Not photographing model and serial numbers on appliances and HVAC equipment.
  • Waiting weeks after move-in to document — furniture covers damage and memories fade.
  • Storing photos only on a phone without a cloud backup — one lost or broken phone erases everything.

Related How-To Guides

Check for Signs of Water Damage

Inspect under sinks, around windows, in the basement or crawl space, and attic for water stains or mold. Catching water damage early prevents costly structural repairs.

Create a Home Maintenance Binder

Organize warranties, manuals, contractor contacts, paint colors, and appliance model numbers in one central place so nothing gets lost.

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