The Real Role of Drones in Property Surveys and Inspections

Property Inspection

Author

Franco Faraudo
December 17, 2025

Propmodo Technology

By Franco Faraudo · December 17, 2025

Greetings,

The biggest PropTech development this week did not come from a startup or a funding round, but from Google signaling it may rethink how real estate listings appear inside its ecosystem. Markets reacted quickly, with Zillow and other listing platforms sliding on fears that the portal model is far more exposed to shifts in search than it likes to admit. If Google begins surfacing listings more natively, it does not need to replace marketplaces to disrupt them. Simply changing how buyers discover homes could be enough to tilt the economics away from businesses built on paid traffic and SEO arbitrage.

This week we’re looking at how smarter inspection tools are improving property operations by replacing guesswork with clearer, more consistent data. From drones that simplify roof and exterior inspections to software that turns vague move-in and move-out notes into defensible, photo-based records, the shift is practical and measurable. Together, these tools reduce disputes, shorten turnover cycles, and give owners better visibility into asset condition, turning inspections from a routine task into a real operational advantage.

Let’s go!

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Presented by SnapInspect

SnapInspect is the all-in-one solution that streamlines property inspections and maintenance workflows.

Whether you're managing 50 or 5,000 units, SnapInspect helps property teams save time on-site by providing an easy-to-use mobile inspection app. Customize digital checklists, snap photos and videos, and generate property reports instantly. Automate workflows from inspections directly through to maintenance with follow-up tasks and full work orders. 

Simply assign tasks to internal teams or outside vendors and track task lifecycles until completion. 

Professional inspection records improve trust with residents, and property teams leverage a centralized platform that delivers full visibility with smart, AI-powered logic. A seamless process gives teams confidence and breathing room to focus on what actually matters.

Property Inspection

The Real Role of Drones in Property Surveys and Inspections

Drones are increasingly used in commercial real estate for inspections, construction monitoring, and marketing, but regulatory limits and accuracy challenges mean satellites and manned aircraft still play a critical role in property surveying and analysis.

https://propmodo.com/the-real-role-of-drones-in-property-surveys-and-inspections/

How One Multifamily Operator Cut Chargeback Disputes by 50%

Inconsistent move-in and move-out documentation drives disputes, delays, and rising turnover costs. How one multifamily operator used inspection software to restore clarity, trust, and operational efficiency.

https://propmodo.com/how-one-multifamily-operator-cut-chargeback-disputes-by-50/

Bytes

🛍️ Big box
Walmart has signed a deal with a 3D printing construction company to build more than a dozen new buildings.

🦾 Scouted
Germany’s real estate listing site Scout24 has become an example of what AI can do to change how homes are bought and sold.

🫀 Revivalist
CoStar is asking the Supreme Court to revive its antitrust claims about its rival platform CREXI.

Overheard

More Propmodo Technology

The Next Housing Search War Is About AI Not Listings

Google’s new real estate ad tests highlight growing pressure on Zillow and signal a larger shift in how homes may be discovered as AI reshapes search, traffic, and consumer intent.

https://propmodo.com/the-next-housing-search-war-is-about-ai-not-listings/

Why the Facade Often Decides the Fate of Office-to-Residential Conversions

Office-to-residential conversions often succeed or fail based on the facade. Updating windows, cladding, and mechanical integration determines performance, cost, and timeline for bringing new residential units to market.

https://propmodo.com/why-the-facade-often-decides-the-fate-of-office-to-residential-conversions/

Why Rental Screening Must Evolve in the Age of AI

AI is reshaping rental fraud, enabling smarter scams and stronger defenses through layered screening, verified data, and standardized digital processes.

https://propmodo.com/why-rental-screening-must-evolve-in-the-age-of-ai/

The Real Bottleneck in America’s AI Boom Isn’t Chips, It’s Power

AI’s fastest growth is shifting to the power-rich South, straining grids and sparking utility lawsuits as massive GPU clusters reshape America’s data center geography.

https://propmodo.com/the-real-bottleneck-in-americas-ai-boom-isnt-chips-its-power/

Propmodo Technology is edited by Franco Faraudo with contributions from readers like you and the Propmodo team.

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