For an average 300-unit property, these losses can reach into the six figures annually, driven by delays in inspections, unclear scopes of work, and a lack of coordination among teams. Many operators aim to complete unit turns in 5 days or less, yet the industry average remains closer to 21 days. That 16-day gap represents not only lost income, but increased strain on staff, vendors, and systems.
So where exactly does that time go and how can technology help recover it?
The Operational Bottleneck
One of the biggest contributors to extended turn timelines is the delay between move-out and the first accurate assessment of unit condition. Until someone physically enters the space, documents what needs to be done, and shares that information with the right team members, the process doesn’t truly begin.
This bottleneck is often accepted as part of the job, but it doesn’t have to be. What’s been missing is a fast, consistent way to assess units at scale without relying on fragmented tools, manual walkthroughs, or hard-to-interpret photos.
Using LiDAR to Accelerate Turns
LiDAR technology, built into newer iPhones and iPads, has traditionally been used in robotics, autonomous vehicles, and mapping. In property management, it opens up new possibilities for digitizing and documenting physical spaces with speed and precision.
Earlier this year, we launched the Tracker App, which uses LiDAR and computer vision to scan units, assess conditions, and create structured data that can live directly inside your Property Management System.
In less than 10 minutes, a technician or team member can:
- Capture a spatial scan of a vacated unit
- Build a precise digital map of the space
- Assess conditions and detect visible damage
- Generate a persistent, visual condition record
This allows for an immediate understanding of the scope of work and gives operations teams a head start on organizing repairs, cleaning, and marketing.
From Scan to System: Closing the Gap
The First Step Matters Most
Reducing vacancy loss doesn’t come from working faster, it comes from starting smarter. The most common delays in the turn process happen right at the beginning: when teams lack the information they need to act quickly and confidently.
A Tracker scan isn’t just a faster way to inspect a unit. It’s a way to begin each turn with accurate, structured data that gives your team clarity from day one. With better visibility upfront, it becomes easier to plan work, assign tasks, and keep the process moving without unnecessary delays or rework.
Download Tracker’s AI Property Inspector to implement these changes for yourself!
