What are drive-by inspections?

Drive-by inspections are a way of quickly assessing the condition of a property. They are a common tool of lenders, insurance companies and out-of-town landlords. The inspector may look for damage to the property, check occupancy or assess other factors that affect the value of the property.

Drive-by inspections usually take no more than 15 minutes and, in many cases, the tenant or owner is not aware of the inspection. Foreclosures are the most common reason for these inspections, usually to check on a vacant property. Lenders also often want to know the condition of the neighborhood to determine the marketability of the property.