Say
“Say where you are. Describe what you see. State what is known, what is uncertain, and whether an earlier concern has been resolved.”
“Say where you are. Describe what you see. State what is known, what is uncertain, and whether an earlier concern has been resolved.”
The Five Non-Negotiable Rules
- Announce the full property address before describing anything.
- Announce every location change using a clear, ordinary room name - Bedroom 1, Bathroom 1, Kitchen, Living Room, and similar names.
- Describe property-specific conditions and visible work - not general construction advice.
- Take an overview photo and then supporting detail photos while you are still narrating that same area.
- If the walk is interrupted, explicitly close the current area, announce the temporary location, and announce when you return.
Recommended Walk Order
- Front approach and site
- Exterior - move around the house in one direction
- Enter through the front door
- Interior - follow the house's natural physical path and clearly announce each room
- Close the walkthrough only after all follow-up observations are complete
Important: Do not worry about sounding polished. Clear location labels and factual observations matter more than perfect wording.
01 Start and Exterior
Before the First Observation
Say
“This is the Stage 3 property walkthrough for [full property address]. The walkthrough date is [date]. Starting with the front approach and exterior.”
“This is the Stage 3 property walkthrough for [full property address]. The walkthrough date is [date]. Starting with the front approach and exterior.”
Pause for one second. Then begin the exterior in a consistent direction. Identify each side before describing it.
Exterior Location Cues
Say
“Now reviewing the front elevation and front yard.”
“Now reviewing the left side exterior.”
“Now reviewing the rear exterior and backyard.”
“Now reviewing the right side exterior.”
“Now reviewing the front elevation and front yard.”
“Now reviewing the left side exterior.”
“Now reviewing the rear exterior and backyard.”
“Now reviewing the right side exterior.”
Within each exterior area, cover only what is visible and property-specific:
- Site access, grading, drainage, vegetation, retaining conditions, sheds and outbuildings
- Roof surfaces visible from the ground, gutters, fascia, soffit, siding, windows and exterior doors
- Decks, porches, stairs, rails and visible support conditions
- Exterior HVAC equipment, meters and utility penetrations
- Any boundary, access or neighboring-property concern that affects this property
Exterior Photo Pattern
- Take one orientation photo that shows the full area or elevation.
- Take close-up photos of each significant condition while naming it aloud.
- At the exterior air-conditioning condenser, take one overall photo of the complete unit and installation, followed by a readable photo of the manufacturer/model/serial data label.
Say
“I am photographing the rear-deck surface condition and the area where repair may be required.”
“Mechanical documentation for the report: this is the exterior air-conditioning condenser. I am photographing the complete unit and its manufacturer and model information.”
“I am photographing the rear-deck surface condition and the area where repair may be required.”
“Mechanical documentation for the report: this is the exterior air-conditioning condenser. I am photographing the complete unit and its manufacturer and model information.”
Entering the House
Say
“That completes the exterior. Now entering the home through the front door.”
“That completes the exterior. Now entering the home through the front door.”
Boundary: Do not continue exterior narration after this statement unless you explicitly announce that you are returning outside.
02 Every Interior Area
Open Every Area the Same Way
Say
“Now entering [clear current-use room name].”
“Now entering [clear current-use room name].”
Pause for one second, take an overview photo, then narrate in this order:
- Orientation: what the room is and how it connects to adjacent spaces.
- Floor: material, condition, transitions, slope, movement or visible damage.
- Ceiling and walls: texture, staining, cracking, drywall repair and paint scope.
- Doors, windows and trim: condition, operation and visible replacement needs.
- Built-ins and fixtures: cabinets, counters, plumbing fixtures, appliances or specialty features.
- Scope or uncertainty: what appears required, what is already budgeted, and what needs contractor, property-review or certified-inspection follow-up.
Photo Pattern for Every Functional Area
- Overview: one photo from the doorway or corner showing the room as a whole.
- Opposite view: one photo showing the other side when it adds useful scope evidence.
- Detail: close-ups of each significant condition, unusual scope item or unresolved concern.
- Narrate the subject before or while taking the photo. Avoid silent rapid-fire photo bursts.
- Do not photograph an adjacent room as if it belongs to the current room. Announce the new area first.
Mechanical and Electrical Equipment Encountered Inside
Document each component when you reach it in the normal room-to-room flow. The standard phrase below tells Stage 3 Analysis to place the observation and photographs in the report’s Building Systems section, even though the equipment is physically located within a room, closet or hallway.
- Furnace or air handler: photograph the complete unit and surrounding installation, then the manufacturer/model/serial data label.
- Water heater: photograph the complete unit, visible piping and venting, then the manufacturer/model/serial data label.
- Electrical service panel: photograph the panel exterior; then open only the normal hinged panel door and photograph the manufacturer, panel type, breaker arrangement and directory.
- Other installed mechanical equipment: photograph the complete component and any readable identification label.
Say
“Mechanical documentation for the report: this is the [equipment name] located in the [current room or area]. I am photographing the complete unit and its manufacturer and model information.”
“Mechanical documentation for the report: this is the [equipment name] located in the [current room or area]. I am photographing the complete unit and its manufacturer and model information.”
Safety: Do not remove an electrical panel deadfront, equipment cover or secured access panel. Open only the normal user-access door when it can be done safely.
Close the Area Before Moving
Say
“That completes [area name]. Now entering [next clear current-use room name].”
“That completes [area name]. Now entering [next clear current-use room name].”
Room Naming Standard
- Use ordinary spoken names, not spreadsheet abbreviations: say “Bedroom 1,” not “BR1,” and “Bathroom 1,” not “BA1.”
- Follow the house's natural physical layout. The narrator does not need to follow the MasterMind column or room order.
- Name each room by its current physical use. A proposed conversion does not change the room's name during the walk.
- If a physical space does not have an obvious current-use name, say “Unlisted area,” followed by a precise location description. Do not invent a numbered bedroom or bathroom.
Say
“Now entering an unlisted storage area located off Bedroom 1.”
“Now entering an unlisted storage area located off Bedroom 1.”
- Do not announce blank template areas such as Den or Garage when the property does not contain them.
03 Concerns, Options, and Evidence Gaps
State Observations Separately from Conclusions
Say
“The floor dips toward the center of this room. I cannot determine from this interior walk whether the cause is finish flooring, subfloor, joists, beams, piers, or footings. This needs a focused floor-system review.”
“The floor dips toward the center of this room. I cannot determine from this interior walk whether the cause is finish flooring, subfloor, joists, beams, piers, or footings. This needs a focused floor-system review.”
Purpose: This language gives reconciliation enough evidence to create a review item without allowing AI to invent the cause.
Identify a Possible Scope Item
Say
“The rear deck appears to need surface-board replacement. I do not presently see evidence that the entire structure requires replacement, but the framing below should be checked.”
“The rear deck appears to need surface-board replacement. I do not presently see evidence that the entire structure requires replacement, but the framing below should be checked.”
Describe an Optional Change Without Pretending It Already Exists
Say
“This is the Laundry / Closet Area. Potential project option: we are considering a primary bathroom within part of this existing area. The house currently remains a three-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bath house. Please address this option during analysis.”
“This is the Laundry / Closet Area. Potential project option: we are considering a primary bathroom within part of this existing area. The house currently remains a three-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bath house. Please address this option during analysis.”
- Describe the proposed location, approximate dimensions and visible constraints.
- State which part is confirmed existing scope and which part is an optional scenario.
- Do not rename the existing room or call the proposed space “Bathroom 3” merely because an option is being evaluated.
Flag Missing Evidence Liberally
When something could materially affect scope, budget, ARV, safety or property review, say it even if you are unsure. The contractor can quickly disregard it during reconciliation.
Say
“Evidence gap: I cannot see the crawlspace support below this area. Please create a reconciliation item for floor-system follow-up.”
“Evidence gap: the HVAC equipment is present, but age, operation, and full condition are not confirmed during this walk. Certified inspection will address system performance after an accepted offer.”
“Evidence gap: I cannot see the crawlspace support below this area. Please create a reconciliation item for floor-system follow-up.”
“Evidence gap: the HVAC equipment is present, but age, operation, and full condition are not confirmed during this walk. Certified inspection will address system performance after an accepted offer.”
Use the Correct Follow-Up Destination
- Contractor / foreman: repair approach, scope, constructability or allowance.
- Property review: feasibility, project decision, valuation consequence or offer treatment.
- Certified home inspection: mechanical, structural, foundation, roof or other inspection-depth condition.
- Survey / title: boundary or recorded access issue. Mention only when it affects the current property evaluation.
04 Interruptions and Resolved Issues
When Someone Pulls You Away from the Current Area
Say
“Pausing the [current area] walkthrough. I am leaving this area and returning outside to discuss [issue].”
“Now outside at the [precise exterior location] reviewing [issue].”
“Pausing the [current area] walkthrough. I am leaving this area and returning outside to discuss [issue].”
“Now outside at the [precise exterior location] reviewing [issue].”
When an Earlier Concern Is Resolved
Say
“Resolution: the earlier lot-line concern is resolved. The deteriorated neighboring structure is not on this property. This statement supersedes my earlier concern.”
“Resolution: the earlier lot-line concern is resolved. The deteriorated neighboring structure is not on this property. This statement supersedes my earlier concern.”
Critical: Use the words “resolved” and “supersedes my earlier concern.” AI should not have to infer that a later comment canceled an earlier one.
When the Issue Is Only Partly Resolved
Say
“Update: the boundary location is clearer, but recorded survey confirmation is still pending. Keep this as a survey follow-up item, not a construction concern.”
“Update: the boundary location is clearer, but recorded survey confirmation is still pending. Keep this as a survey follow-up item, not a construction concern.”
Returning to the Interrupted Room
Say
“That completes the exterior interruption. Returning inside. Now re-entering [clear current-use room name] and resuming that room walkthrough.”
“That completes the exterior interruption. Returning inside. Now re-entering [clear current-use room name] and resuming that room walkthrough.”
Correcting Yourself
Say
“Correction: the previous photo and observation belong to Bath 2, not Bath 1. Please use this corrected room assignment.”
“Correction: I previously said the entire deck may need replacement. Based on the closer view, the current concern is limited to the top decking, subject to framing review.”
“Correction: the previous photo and observation belong to Bath 2, not Bath 1. Please use this corrected room assignment.”
“Correction: I previously said the entire deck may need replacement. Based on the closer view, the current concern is limited to the top decking, subject to framing review.”
Do Not Rely on Context Alone
- Do not say “we figured that out” without restating what was resolved.
- Do not say “back in here” without naming the room again.
- Do not assume a later photo automatically cancels an earlier observation.
- Do not continue talking through a phone call or unrelated conversation; pause the walkthrough narration and restart cleanly.
05 Closeout Checklist and Short Script
Before Ending the Recording
- Confirm every actual room and functional area was announced and covered.
- Confirm each area has at least one overview photo and supporting detail photos where needed.
- Confirm the condenser, furnace or air handler, water heater and electrical panel each have the required overall and identification photos.
- Restate every concern that remains open and identify who should address it.
- Restate every concern that was resolved during the walk.
- Identify optional projects separately from the baseline rehabilitation.
- Make any room-name or photo-assignment corrections before closing.
Closing Summary
Say
“Walkthrough summary: the principal unresolved items are [list]. The issues resolved during the walk are [list]. The optional scope items are [list].”
“That completes the Stage 3 property walkthrough for [full property address].”
“Walkthrough summary: the principal unresolved items are [list]. The issues resolved during the walk are [list]. The optional scope items are [list].”
“That completes the Stage 3 property walkthrough for [full property address].”
Operating Standard: More reviewable reconciliation items are preferable to silent omissions. Narrators should flag material uncertainty freely; the contractor will confirm, add to notes, update the MasterMind, or disregard it during reconciliation.