In our recent ELEVATE webinar, we explored the vital role of inspections in driving operational success and maximizing property readiness. Industry pros Annette Grant (Thanks for Visiting), Dylan Bozarth (30A Escapes), and Fernando Molina (South Padre Trips) shared invaluable strategies to optimize inspections for efficiency and guest satisfaction. While we covered a lot, there were still some questions we couldn’t address live. Here, we’re excited to share those unanswered questions along with our panelists’ advice, as well as top takeaways from the session.
If you missed the webinar or want to watch it again, you can catch the recording. Don’t miss our next ELEVATE webinar on November 21, covering Strengthening Owner Relations.
Bozarth mentioned that, whenever possible, they avoid early check-ins without an inspection. However, using Breezeway allows their Front Desk team to notify inspectors of any early check-ins. This way, the inspection team can prioritize those homes and ensure full visibility across teams during high-turnover days.
Bozarth shared the importance of checklists, property-specific notes, and requiring photo documentation to ensure consistency. Molina emphasized structured training and checklists, alongside their “follow the wall” technique to methodically cover all areas of a home.
The panel unanimously agreed that when inspectors aren’t actively inspecting a property, they can assist with tasks like managing linens, handling laundry, and responding to guest requests. They can also act as runners for inventory needs or any missing items in a property. With the right training, some inspectors can even serve as greeters, welcoming arriving guests and enhancing the guest experience.
Neither Bozarth nor Molina currently charges owners for inspections, as these are considered essential to their service. However, deep cleans, maintenance checks, and other specific inspections are included in their service packages.
Bozarth explained that 30A Escapes uses templates as guidelines rather than exhaustive lists. Rather than itemizing every detail, they focus on training inspectors to recognize what a guest-ready property looks like. However, they leverage Breezeway's property profile to capture each property's unique requirements, ensuring that every home receives the attention needed to highlight its distinctive features.
An audience member shared that they manage a single property located 45 minutes from their home and wondered if hiring a separate inspector would be worth the cost, given its impact on profits. Grant recommends hiring an inspector first and foremost. But, she noted that for smaller operations that choose not to hire an inspector, a cleaner could handle inspections by using a separate checklist to clearly distinguish cleaning tasks from inspection duties. However, for more in-depth tasks like safety checklists, enlisting an inspector could be beneficial.
Breezeway pulls basic property information directly from our PMS partners, but for optimal use, you’ll want to customize each home’s profile within Breezeway by adding specific elements. This allows you to create checklists that are tailored to each property’s unique needs. Bozarth agrees that building out these elements is essential! Though they didn’t start using this feature until their second year on the platform, they now consider it indispensable. For Bozarth’s team, Breezeway serves as a comprehensive record of all property-related activities—offering details beyond what their PMS provides.
Panelists advised starting inspections while cleaners are still on-site, allowing inspectors to return afterward to ensure a property is guest-ready. Additionally, knowing guests’ arrival times allows flexible prioritization.
The enthusiasm during this webinar highlighted the crucial role inspections play in operations. If you have more questions, feel free to reach out, and we’ll gladly continue the conversation on inspections. And, be sure to follow Thanks for Visiting as they have a great YouTube video on inspections, which will be released in November!