Implementation of a digital work procedure for the development and optimization of real estate inspections : An analytical study about digital tools

Abstract: The society today is heading towards a digital development and many companies are adopting a more digital way of working. The working procedures used in the industry of real estate inspections are in a need of modernization to keep up with the society’s rate of development. Thus, to be able to satisfy the requirements from both the customers and the new generation of surveyors, new tools to perform more efficient inspections need to be developed. The purpose of this study is to examine if real estate inspections, primarily pre-purchase inspections, can be performed more efficient with the use of a digital tool. The study covers the work from the ocular inspection to the post-processing work with the documentation. At first, the study mapped out all the available solutions for digital documentation. A digital tool was chosen to be tested during two pre-purchase inspections. Thereafter, the surveyor’s way of working was compared with a digital way of working. The comparison included differences in the working process, efficiency, and the post processing work. The digital tool could then be evaluated, and improvements were suggested. The study was concluded by a qualitative interview study where people working in the industry of real estate inspections answered nine questions about digital development to increase the comprehension for their personal thoughts and experiences of the subject. The results showed the largest difference between a digital way of working compared to working with paper and pen, was during the post-processing work with the documentation. A digital tool removes unnecessary steps, such as transferring handwritten notes to digital form, which in turn alleviates the workload. Furthermore, it is important that a digital tool is user friendly and flexible, to ensure that the facts about the house are easily collected. Many of the respondents from the interviews were positive to and understood the digital development in their line of business. Most of the responders had also a motivation to develop their skill in digitalization. In conclusion, this study shows that there exists an interest to develop the inspections of real estate and an aim towards a more modern work procedure. Alas, there is more work to be done to make the digital tools competitive to the traditional tools. The area of business is small which unfortunately leads to a limited development. By cooperation between companies and by listening to the professionals in the line of business, the digital development can achieve greater progress.