Property condition is often something the homeowner understands better than a public record does. That makes owner-provided evidence useful—but it also makes careful labeling essential.
The objective is not to make the property sound as damaged as possible. It is to document observable facts in a way another person can understand.
Photograph with context
Use clear, dated photographs that show both the issue and where it appears in the property. A close-up of a crack or stain may be difficult to interpret without a wider photograph.
Avoid captions that claim a cause or repair cost unless the source supports that conclusion. “Water staining below the upstairs window” is different from asserting a structural diagnosis.
Label estimates accurately
A contractor estimate is evidence of what a contractor proposed and priced on a particular date. It is not proof that the work was completed, that every item affects value equally, or that another contractor would reach the same figure.
Preserve the complete estimate, contractor identity, date, scope, and assumptions. Do not convert an owner’s informal estimate into a professional opinion.
Separate records from owner knowledge
County property data, inspection reports, permits, contractor materials, photographs, and homeowner statements have different sources and levels of confidence. Keep those distinctions visible.
The homeowner should review and approve descriptions of condition, repairs, improvements, and dates before they enter a packet.
Connect evidence to a readable issue
Each item should answer three questions: What does it show? Where did it come from? Why is it relevant to the property description or comparison being discussed?
FairPath organizes owner-approved evidence into a document packet. It does not independently verify every owner-known condition, provide engineering or appraisal opinions, or guarantee that evidence will produce a value or tax change.
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