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Real Estate Building Questionnaire

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REAL ESTATE BUILDING QUESTIONNAIRE

The undersigned Owner or Authorized Representative completes this Building Questionnaire to provide material information regarding the subject property. The information provided herein is furnished for the benefit of prospective purchasers, lenders, insurers and their agents and is provided with the representation that, to the best of the respondent's actual knowledge, it is complete and accurate as of the date signed. Any material change in conditions shall be promptly reported in writing.

PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION

Property Address:

Parcel / APN Number:   County:

OWNER / MANAGING AGENT

Contact Name:   Phone:   Email:

BUILDING SUMMARY

Year Built:   Gross Building Area (sq ft):

Number of Stories:   Number of Units / Suites:

Current Occupancy Percentage: %   Date of Last Full Interior Renovation:

BUILDING SYSTEMS & UTILITIES

Heating and Cooling (HVAC) present:       If present, age (years):

Electrical Service Capacity (volts / amps):   Date of Last Electrical Upgrade:

Roof Type:   Roof Age (years):   Date of Last Roof Repair:

Elevators present:       If yes, number of cabs:

FIRE, LIFE SAFETY & SECURITY

Automatic sprinkler system installed:       Coverage:

Fire alarm and detection system:       Monitored by central station:    

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

Known lead-based paint on site:    

Known or suspected asbestos-containing materials:    

Past or present mold or water intrusion issues:       If yes, describe remedial action and dates in the details section below.

Underground storage tanks (UST) present:       If yes, status and removal date:

Property located in FEMA flood zone:       History of flooding on site:    

INSURANCE, CLAIMS & LIABILITY

Policy Number:   Expiration Date:

Any insurance claims in the last five (5) years:    

ALTERATIONS, PERMITS & CODE COMPLIANCE

Material structural alterations or additions since original construction:    

Any outstanding building code violations, notices, or litigation affecting the property:    

TENANCY & LEASE INFORMATION

Current rent roll attached:    

Percentage leased (by area): %   Number of tenants:

PARKING, SITE & OTHER AMENITIES

Parking ratio (spaces per 1,000 sq ft):   On-site parking spaces:

DOCUMENTS / ATTACHMENTS

Attached documents (check all that apply):
     
     

CERTIFICATION AND AUTHORIZATION

The undersigned Owner or Authorized Representative certifies, to the best of their knowledge after due inquiry, that the answers and statements contained in this Building Questionnaire are true, accurate and complete as of the date of signature. The undersigned acknowledges that prospective purchasers, lenders, insurers and their authorized representatives will rely upon this information in their review of the property. The undersigned agrees to promptly notify such parties in writing of any material changes in the information provided prior to closing or the effective date of any commitment.

The undersigned further represents that they are authorized to provide this information on behalf of the Owner and that no material facts known to the Owner have been omitted or misrepresented. The Owner agrees to allow reasonable access to the property for inspections and testing, subject to prior scheduling and safety requirements.

Owner / Authorized Representative Printed Name:

By (Signature):

Date:

Recipient / Buyer Printed Name:

By (Signature):

Date:

Enter text✕

What the Real Estate Building Questionnaire Is and When to Use It

A Real Estate Building Questionnaire is a structured form used to collect standardized information about a commercial or residential property’s physical characteristics, systems, regulatory compliance, occupancy, and maintenance history. Lenders, title companies, property managers, insurers, and purchasers use it during due diligence, underwriting, sale, refinancing, or insurance placement to assess risk, identify missing permits or defects, and document existing conditions for closing or claims purposes.

Why completing a thorough Building Questionnaire matters

Completing the questionnaire reduces closing delays, supports accurate underwriting, and helps identify code or permit issues before they become liabilities. Proper completion creates a documented record that parties can rely on during title review, insurance underwriting, and lender assessments while aligning with electronic record standards under ESIGN and UETA where applicable.

Why completing a thorough Building Questionnaire matters

Who commonly fills out and reviews this questionnaire

Typical contributors include property owners, property managers, brokers, third-party inspectors, and legal or compliance teams who supply factual answers and supporting documents.

  • Property managers and owners provide ownership details, leases, maintenance records, and warranty information for the building.
  • Title agents and lenders use the responses to validate surveys, permitting status, and potential encumbrances affecting financing.
  • Insurance underwriters and inspectors evaluate hazard exposures, past claims, and safety systems to set coverage terms.

Collating inputs from these contributors early in a transaction reduces rework and speeds lender, insurer, and title reviews.

Authorized signers and roles

Owner Signatory

An authorized owner or corporate officer who can legally bind the property owner. Provide name, title, and proof of authority—corporate resolution or ownership record—so signatures are accepted by lenders and title companies.

Agent / Manager

A property manager or designated agent permitted to act on the owner’s behalf. Attach written authorization or power of attorney and include contact details for verification during underwriting and closing.

Essential sections every professional questionnaire includes

A complete questionnaire follows a consistent structure so reviewers can locate risk information quickly and compare answers across properties.

Property Identification

Parcel ID, full street address, legal description, and current owner or managing entity for unambiguous identification.

Occupancy & Use

Current tenants, occupancy rates, lease types, and primary use of space to assess income stability and permitted use.

Building Systems

Age and condition of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, elevators, and fire protection systems; recent upgrades and maintenance history.

Permits & Code Compliance

Open permits, code violations, outstanding notices, and corrective actions taken or required by local authorities.

Hazards & Environmental

Known environmental concerns, asbestos/lead reports, flooding history, and remediation documentation if applicable.

Supporting Evidence

Attached surveys, inspection reports, certificates, photos, and permit copies that substantiate responses and reduce follow-up.

Required identifying fields at a glance

Owner Name: Full legal name
Property Address: Street, city, state, ZIP
Year Built: Four-digit year
Square Footage: Gross building area
Primary Use: Office, retail, industrial, etc.
Legal Description: Lot/parcel text or plat reference

Step-by-step completion workflow

Follow a predictable sequence to gather materials, populate the form, and route it for review and approval.

  • 01
    Collect records: Gather deeds, permits, leases, and inspection reports.
  • 02
    Complete fields: Answer each question using documented sources.
  • 03
    Attach evidence: Upload photos, surveys, and permits as exhibits.
  • 04
    Sign and send: Authorize the document and route to reviewers.

Suggested digital workflow settings

Configure your online form builder to capture identity, attachments, conditional questions, and notifications for efficient reviews.

Field Configuration
Authentication Email link, SMS code, or knowledge-based verification
Conditional Logic Show permit fields only if 'Yes' to permit questions
Attachments Allow PDF, JPG, PNG; set max file sizes
Notifications Automated alerts for incomplete sections and signer reminders

Typical routing and submission process

Most transactions use a linear workflow to maintain an audit trail and ensure all stakeholders receive the same record.

  • Upload Document: Sender uploads completed questionnaire and exhibits.
  • Assign Reviewers: Select lender, title, insurer, and legal reviewers.
  • Authentication: Verify signer identity per chosen method.
  • Archive: Store final package with audit trail and attachments.

Technical requirements for eSubmission and storage

Select a platform that provides tamper-evident signed PDFs, retention controls, and integrations with your document management or closing systems to centralize records and preserve the audit trail for regulatory and title reviews.

  • File Formats: PDF, DOCX supported
  • Authentication Options: Email, SMS, KBA
  • Integrations: CRM and storage connectors

Timing considerations and common deadlines

Plan deadlines around closing, lender underwriting windows, and insurance binder issuance to avoid last-minute holds.

Pre-closing submission:

Provide the completed questionnaire at least 7–10 business days before closing for lender review.

Lender review period:

Lenders typically reserve 3–5 business days to evaluate answers and request clarifications.

Inspection window:

Schedule physical inspections within 5–15 days after questionnaire submission to align with closing timelines.

Insurance binders:

Underwriters may require completed questionnaires before issuing binders; allow 3–7 business days.

Record retention:

Retain signed questionnaires per corporate retention policy and regulatory requirements.

Key milestones from intake to archive

Track milestone completion to keep the transaction on schedule and ensure auditability.

01

Intake and documentation

Collect all source documents and initial property data for entry.

02

Internal review

Compliance, legal, and property teams review and flag exceptions.

03

External inspection

Third-party inspectors confirm physical conditions and systems.

04

Final submission

Signatures obtained, package finalized, and stored in records.

Practical tips to improve accuracy and reduce follow-up

Apply consistent naming, attach primary evidence, and use version control to prevent ambiguity and repetitive requests.

Verify legal names and titles
Confirm owner and signatory names against deed or corporate filings. Discrepancies cause title exceptions and lender holds, so verify prior to signing.
Attach original permits
Include copies of building permits and certificates of occupancy. This eliminates manual retrieval and speeds underwriting or municipal checks.
Use clear dated photos
Photograph systems and known issues with timestamps. Clear images reduce the need for repeat inspections and streamline insurer evaluations.
Keep an audit trail
Record who made changes and when, and preserve signed PDFs with metadata to support future title or claim investigations.

Common preparation and submission pitfalls

  • Incomplete responses or placeholders (e.g., 'TBD') force multiple follow-ups and extend closing timelines when lenders or title companies require definitive answers.
  • Mismatched signer names versus public records often create title exceptions or require corrective documentation such as affidavits or corporate resolutions.
  • Missing permit numbers or expired certificates of occupancy can trigger municipal hold-ups and require contractor remediation before financing or insurance proceeds.
  • Low-quality or undated photos obscure conditions, leading to repeated inspections or conservative underwriting assumptions that increase premiums or borrower conditions.

Potential consequences of incorrect or incomplete questionnaires

Transaction delay: Closings can be postponed
Insurance denial: Coverage or claims may be denied
Lender conditions: Additional underwriting requirements
Title exceptions: New exceptions increase closing risk
Remediation costs: Unexpected repair expenses
Legal exposure: Risk of disputes or indemnities

eSignature vendor comparison for completing and signing questionnaires

Comparing core vendor pricing and capabilities can help teams select a platform that supports bulk sends, audit trails, HIPAA needs, and envelope limits.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No
Envelope Cap No cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies Varies Varies

Real-world examples of questionnaire use

Practical examples show how proper questionnaire completion removes friction and speeds approval in common transactions.

Martin Properties — Tim Martin, Founder

Tim Martin used the questionnaire to centralize due diligence and reduce follow-ups.

  • Quick onsite intake streamlined evidence collection.
  • I can process and execute all of these documents online with 100% compliance and built-in security. Whether on mobile or working offline, I can get forms back to their necessary parties efficiently.

Optica Ventures — Brian Fitzgibbons, COO

Optica standardized intake across properties to make reviews consistent.

  • Standardized forms reduced reviewer variance.
  • The interface is simple and easy-to-use for our team; more importantly, it is just as easy for our customers.

Frequently asked questions and practical answers

Answers to common questions about legal validity, notarization, signature authority, and recordkeeping for Real Estate Building Questionnaires.


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