A Northmark property condition report is a dated, photo-based record of the visible condition of a commercial building's interior common areas, exterior, site and, when paired with aerial imagery, its roof. Owners and property managers in Fargo, West Fargo and Moorhead use the reports to brief owners, plan budgets, document condition at lease start and end, support insurance claims and track change over time. They are practical working documents, not engineering assessments.
What a property condition report is, and is not
The term "property condition assessment" has a formal meaning in commercial real estate. ASTM E2018 sets out a standard guide for baseline property condition assessments, typically commissioned for acquisitions and financing and prepared by qualified consultants who estimate repair and replacement costs.
Northmark's reports serve a different purpose. They are operational records produced on a schedule by people who are in and around the building regularly:
| Northmark property condition report | ASTM E2018 property condition assessment | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Ongoing operations, owner reporting, documentation | Transaction due diligence, lending |
| Frequency | Monthly, quarterly, seasonal or event-based | Typically once per transaction |
| Prepared by | Northmark facility team and remote pilot | Qualified PCA consultant |
| Content | Photos, visible conditions, actions taken, referrals | Systems evaluation, cost tables, remaining useful life |
| Cost estimates | No | Yes |
If you need an ASTM-style assessment for a purchase or loan, you need a PCA consultant. If you need to know, every quarter, what is happening in your building, our reports fit.
What the report includes
- Summary: overall condition and the most important items
- Priority findings: urgent, schedule with a trade, handled in scope, watch list
- Area-by-area sections: entries, lobbies, corridors, restrooms, stairwells, mechanical rooms you designate, exterior walls, windows, sidewalks, paving, landscaping
- Photos: each finding with location and date
- Aerial imagery (optional): roof, facade and site views from our aerial inspection service
- Comparison: changes since the previous report, where relevant
- Actions taken: upkeep completed within scope
- Referrals: items documented for your licensed trades
How owners and managers use the reports
Owner reporting
Property managers can share reports with owners as evidence of how the asset is being looked after and why certain expenses are recommended.
Budgeting
A year of reports shows which items are recurring, which are worsening and what is likely to need capital attention. That makes budget requests concrete.
Lease start and end
Documenting condition at move-in and move-out reduces disputes over damage and restoration. For roofs and exteriors, see lease condition aerial documentation.
Insurance
When a storm or incident causes damage, a recent dated report helps show the condition beforehand. See hail and storm damage documentation.
Sale and refinancing
Sellers with a documented maintenance history can answer buyer and lender questions more confidently, and a consultant preparing a formal assessment has a useful starting point.
Report schedule
Reports are usually produced after each preventive maintenance walkthrough: monthly or quarterly, with seasonal reports in late fall and spring. Event-based reports can be added after storms, incidents or tenant changes.
Objectivity
Our reports describe visible conditions plainly. We do not inflate findings to sell work, and we refer trade items to your contractors rather than quoting them ourselves. That independence makes the reports more useful to owners, lenders and insurers.
Building the record
The value of condition reporting grows with time. One report is a snapshot. Twelve reports are a history. Combined with seasonal drone roof inspections, they give an owner a far clearer understanding of the building than occasional visits ever could.
A sample finding
To show the level of detail, a typical entry might read: "Northeast stair, level 2 landing. Stair nosing loose on third tread from top; trip hazard. Photo 14. Temporary caution tape applied. Refer to general contractor for refastening." Another might read: "South elevation downspout discharging against foundation; soil eroded approximately 6 inches. Photo 22. Recommend extension or splash block; watch for lower-level moisture in spring." Each finding is specific enough that the person fixing it does not need to rediscover the problem.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Northmark report the same as an ASTM property condition assessment?
No. Our reports are operational records of visible condition produced on a schedule. ASTM E2018 assessments are formal due-diligence reports prepared by qualified consultants, usually with cost estimates.
How often are reports produced?
Usually monthly or quarterly, with seasonal reports in late fall and spring and event-based reports after storms or incidents.
Do reports include roof imagery?
They can. Roof, facade and site imagery from our aerial service can be added to any report.
Do you estimate repair costs?
No. We document conditions and refer trade items to your contractors, who provide estimates.
Sources
Published · Updated · Northmark Facility Services.