Property Preservation Course

Lesson 1 • Industry Overview and Stakeholders

Defines property preservation and maps the ecosystem of lenders, servicers, investors, and contractors. Establishes context for all subsequent technical and regulatory content.

Lesson 2 • Work Order Systems and Documentation

Covers how work orders are generated, assigned, and tracked within vendor management platforms. Accurate documentation is presented as the foundation of payment and liability protection.

Lesson 3 • Professional Ethics and Conduct

Establishes ethical standards for contractor behavior on occupied and vacant properties. Links professional conduct to client retention and legal risk reduction.

Lesson 1 • Initial Property Inspection Procedures

Teaches the step-by-step process for conducting an initial inspection of a vacant or distressed property. Proper sequencing prevents missed deficiencies and liability exposure.

Lesson 2 • Occupancy Determination

Covers methods for determining whether a property is vacant, occupied, or partially occupied. Correct occupancy status drives legal access rights and required notifications.

Lesson 3 • Damage and Hazard Identification

Trains students to identify structural damage, water intrusion, mold, and environmental hazards during inspection. Early identification prevents cost escalation and safety incidents.

Lesson 4 • Inspection Reporting and Photography

Establishes standards for written condition reports and photographic documentation required by clients. Quality reporting directly supports work order approval and dispute resolution.

Lesson 1 • Garage, Fence, and Pool Securing

Addresses securing outbuildings, perimeter fencing, and pools to meet safety and liability standards. These elements are frequently cited in investor audits and municipal inspections.

Lesson 2 • Board-Up and Window Securing

Teaches material selection, measurement, and installation techniques for boarding windows and doors. Correct board-up deters vandalism and meets investor specification requirements.

Lesson 3 • Legal Access and Entry Protocols

Defines the legal basis for contractor entry onto distressed properties and required pre-entry steps. Misunderstanding access rights creates trespass liability and client penalties.

Lesson 1 • Biohazard and Hazardous Material Handling

Addresses identification and safe removal of biohazardous materials, chemicals, and regulated waste found in properties. Improper handling creates health, legal, and environmental liability.

Lesson 2 • Interior Cleaning Standards

Defines broom-clean, maid-clean, and sanitization standards required by different investor guidelines. Meeting the correct standard prevents re-work orders and payment deductions.

Lesson 3 • Personal Property and Debris Classification

Teaches how to classify items found in a property as debris, personal property, or items requiring special handling. Misclassification creates legal exposure and client chargebacks.

Lesson 4 • Debris Removal Procedures and Pricing

Covers standard debris removal workflows, cubic yardage estimation, and allowable cost guidelines. Accurate bidding and documentation prevent payment disputes.

Lesson 1 • Exterior Repairs and Curb Appeal

Teaches minor exterior repairs including gutter cleaning, downspout repair, and paint touch-up to maintain curb appeal. These services directly affect property marketability and investor satisfaction.

Lesson 2 • Lawn Care Service Standards

Defines mowing height, edging, and trimming standards required by investor guidelines for distressed properties. Consistent exterior appearance protects asset value and prevents code violations.

Lesson 3 • Tree and Shrub Management

Addresses trimming, removal, and hazard assessment for trees and shrubs on preservation properties. Overgrown or damaged vegetation creates liability and municipal citation risk.

Lesson 1 • Utility Disconnection and Monitoring

Addresses procedures for coordinating utility disconnection, maintaining minimal heat where required, and monitoring utility status. Utility errors are a leading cause of investor chargebacks.

Lesson 2 • Winterization Documentation and Signage

Establishes required signage placement, photo documentation, and reporting for completed winterizations. Proper documentation protects contractors from freeze-damage liability claims.

Lesson 3 • HVAC and Heating System Shutdown

Teaches proper shutdown and securing of heating, ventilation, and cooling systems in vacant properties. Improper HVAC shutdown causes equipment damage and creates safety hazards.

Lesson 4 • Winterization Fundamentals

Introduces the purpose, timing, and scope of winterization for vacant properties in freeze-risk climates. Understanding the full scope prevents partial winterizations that result in costly damage claims.

Lesson 1 • Final Inspection and Closeout

Teaches the final inspection process, closeout documentation, and work order completion steps before property transfer. Thorough closeout protects payment and prevents post-transfer disputes.

Lesson 2 • Roof and Structural Repairs

Covers tarping, patching, and minor structural repairs allowable under preservation guidelines. Timely roof and structural intervention prevents cascading interior damage.

Lesson 3 • Plumbing and Electrical Repairs

Addresses minor plumbing and electrical repairs within preservation scope, including licensing requirements. Understanding scope limits prevents unauthorized work and liability exposure.

Lesson 4 • Conveyance Condition Standards

Defines the condition requirements properties must meet before conveyance to a government agency or investor. Failing conveyance inspections results in costly penalties and re-work.

Lesson 1 • Scaling and Subcontractor Management

Addresses strategies for growing a preservation business through subcontractor networks and geographic expansion. Sustainable scaling requires replicable systems and strong subcontractor accountability.

Lesson 2 • Quality Control Systems

Establishes internal quality control processes including field audits, photo review, and subcontractor oversight. Consistent quality reduces chargebacks and builds client performance scores.

Lesson 3 • Invoicing, Payments, and Financial Controls

Teaches correct invoicing procedures, payment timelines, dispute resolution, and basic financial controls. Sound financial management prevents cash flow crises common in preservation contracting.

Lesson 4 • Contractor Business Setup and Licensing

Covers business entity formation, required licenses, insurance types, and vendor registration with national clients. Proper setup is a prerequisite for receiving work orders from major servicers.