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Will Virtual Inspections Completely Replace Physical by 2030?

We're exploring the complex issues in real estate with our new series, Edge Case.

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Elite Agent Editor
September 27, 2025

THOUGHT LEADERS
REAL ESTATE REIMAGINED

This week: Will virtual property inspections completely replace physical ones within five years? It's the question dividing property management offices. Some say it's inevitable efficiency. Others say it's impossible. But what do industry experts think? Watch on YouTube, or listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to find out!

The property manager stares at her calendar.

Twelve inspections scheduled. Four rescheduled. Maintenance requests, tenant requests and the ongoing juggle of priorities.

So are the in person inspections really necessary?

We got Kylie Walker and Tara Bradbury in a room and convinced them to debate whether virtual inspections will completely replace physical ones within five years.

But here's what made it interesting – they had to flip a coin to decide who argued for total virtual replacement and who defended boots-on-the-ground. But were they arguing a side they actually believed?

For 40 minutes, two property management experts built compelling cases for opposing futures.

Kylie painted a world where AI-powered cameras catch what human eyes miss, where efficiency saves 30% on operational costs, and where transparency actually builds more trust than physical presence ever could.

Tara countered with the reality that 74% of landlords still want someone physically walking through their investment, that smell and touch reveal problems no camera can detect, and that trust in our industry is still too fragile for complete digital replacement.

At minute 30, they both dropped their assigned positions and revealed what they really think about the future of property inspections.

The truth? You’ll have to watch to find out.

Enjoy the episode!

— Samantha McLean

P.S. We've got more Edge Case debates in the pipeline! What topic would you like us to debate next?

Listen/Watch now:

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