Most rehab disputes don't come down to who's right. They come down to who has dated photos.

Before the first hammer swings, I walk the property and shoot everything: every room's four walls, ceiling, and floor. Basement walls — water stains, efflorescence, patched cracks — get close-ups. Street AND alley outside. Meter, panel, water heater serial plates. Timestamp on, always.

**Same angles, every phase.** Demo, rough-in, trim-out — same positions. Before/after isn't for show, it's proof of scope. Contractor says 'that crack was already there'? Timestamped shot. Buyer asks what got replaced behind the walls? Rough-in photos.

**Sort it or lose it.** One folder per property: Before / Rough / Final. Photos in a text thread vanish the day you need them.

**Shoot what inspectors and insurers shoot.** Roof from the alley side, gutter line, basement corners, under-sink plumbing, panel cover off. That's where claims get argued — a dated photo ends it.

**Comps.** Quick look at the numbers around it: three Southwest Baltimore shells sold as-is — 2680 St Benedict St, 21223 for $45,000 (April 2026, sold as-is — needs TLC); 1350 James St, 21223 for $50,000 (February 2025, fire damage, sold as-is); 1811 W Lombard St, 21223 for $55,000 (March 2025, sold as-is). That puts as-is value roughly $45,000–$55,000, most likely around $50,000.

Renovated: 907 McHenry St, 21223 for $262,500 (June 2025, turnkey, $100K+ in upgrades — plumbing, electrical, sewer line, rubber roof); 2537 Calverton Heights Ave, 21216 for $235,000 (December 2025, full 2025 remodel); 222 S Carey St, 21223 for $100,000 (September 2025, turn-key, 2023 roof and HVAC). So a renovated range of $100,000–$262,500.

Caveat: this is block-by-block — McHenry pulled $262,500 while turnkey S Carey closed at $100,000, and 222 S Carey's listing carried the standard 'sold as-is' disclaimer alongside its renovation description. The labels overlap more than you'd think.

The spread between those two rows is what your photos protect. Buy price and ARV both rest on what you can prove the property was — and what it became.

What's your photo routine — and has a dated photo ever saved you in a dispute?

— Dawon | Baltimore, MD