Distressed App: Build your own pipeline of rehab projects.

Open the map and focus on the data layers that signal renovation demand:

Code violations — Open violations require licensed contractor work to resolve. An owner who has received a code violation notice is actively looking for a contractor who can fix the issues before fines escalate. In Philadelphia, the L&I (Licenses and Inspections) data shows you every open violation, the type of work needed, and how long it's been unresolved.

Unsafe building designations — Properties formally classified as unsafe by the city. These need structural assessment, remediation, and renovation before they can be occupied. This is significant rehab work — exactly the kind of project that keeps your crew busy for weeks or months.

Demolitions — Properties with active demolition permits may need pre-demolition work (asbestos abatement, utility disconnection, structural stabilization) or, if the demolition is being contested, renovation work as an alternative to tearing the building down.

Tax delinquencies with high distress scores — Properties with significant tax liens often have deferred maintenance. The higher the distress score, the more likely the property needs substantial renovation. These properties will need a contractor whether the current owner decides to rehab and sell, or an investor buys it at a tax sale.

Toggle these layers on, filter by your service area, and you're looking at a map of every property that needs what you do.

Direct outreach to property owners:

Some property owners have code violations they need to resolve but don't have a contractor. They received a notice from the city, they know they need to fix the issues, and they're looking for someone to do the work. You can reach out to these owners directly.

Click any property with open violations and see the owner's name, the specific violations on the property, and the timeline. Contact the owner and offer your services. You're not cold calling randomly — you're reaching out to someone with a documented, urgent need for exactly what you do. You know the violations, you can estimate the scope of work, and you can provide a realistic quote before you even visit the site.

This is how you generate your own leads instead of waiting for referrals.

Positioning with investors:

The other way contractors use Distressed is to identify properties that investors are likely to acquire — and to position themselves as the contractor for the rehab. When you can see every property in a neighborhood that's headed to sheriff sale or has extreme distress scores, you know which properties will be changing hands in the next 3-6 months. The new owners will need a contractor.

Build relationships with the investors working your market. When you show up to a conversation already knowing the properties they're looking at — because you've seen them on the same map — you demonstrate a level of market knowledge that sets you apart from every other contractor bidding on their next project.

Save high-potential properties to lists. When a property sells (sheriff sale, tax sale, or motivated seller transaction), reach out to the new owner immediately. "I saw you acquired 1234 Elm Street. I've reviewed the open code violations on that property and I can have a scope-of-work estimate ready for you this week." That's the kind of proactive outreach that wins contracts.

Every property profile includes details that help you estimate the scope of work before you drive to the site:

Property characteristics — Square footage, number of floors, year built, lot size. A 900-sqft ranch built in 1960 is a very different project than a 2,400-sqft Victorian from 1890.

Code violations — The specific types of violations tell you what kind of work is needed. Structural violations mean foundation or framing work. Electrical violations mean rewiring. Plumbing violations mean pipe replacement. Each violation type maps to a trade and a cost range.

Unsafe building designation — If the city has declared the building unsafe, you know the structure needs assessment and potentially significant structural work before any cosmetic renovation begins.

Distress score breakdown — The score tells you the overall severity, and the breakdown tells you which categories are contributing the most. A property scoring high on code violations and unsafe status is a major rehab. A property scoring high only on tax delinquency may just need cosmetic work.

Google Street View — Visual assessment of the exterior condition. You can see the roof, siding, windows, and overall state of the building before you get in your truck.

This isn't a replacement for an on-site inspection, but it's enough to prioritize which properties to visit first and to prepare preliminary estimates that make your initial conversations more productive.

Use the deal pipeline to track every potential project through your workflow:

Lead — You've identified a property that needs work. It's on your radar.
Analyzing — You're reviewing the violations, estimating scope, and deciding whether to pursue.
Offer — You've reached out to the owner or investor and provided an estimate.
Under Contract — You've been hired. Project is scheduled or in progress.
Closed — Project complete. Invoice paid.

The pipeline view shows you how many potential projects you're working, where each one stands, and your total pipeline value. This is your business dashboard — the view that tells you whether you need to prospect more aggressively or whether your crew is booked solid for the next three months.

Code Violation Layer — See every open violation in your service area. Each violation type corresponds to a specific trade — know exactly what kind of work each property needs.

Unsafe Building Layer — Find properties declared unsafe by the city. These are major rehab projects that need licensed contractors for structural remediation.

Distress Scoring — Higher scores mean more deferred maintenance and more work needed. Filter by score to find the properties with the biggest renovation needs.

Owner Information — Know who owns each property so you can reach out directly. No skip tracing needed — the owner name is in the public record.

Property Details & Photos — Square footage, year built, lot size, and exterior photos. Estimate project scope before you drive to the site.

Saved Lists — Organize properties by neighborhood, project size, or status. Create a "Code Violation Leads" list, an "Investor Properties" list, and a "Ready to Bid" list.

Deal Pipeline — Track every potential project from identification through completion. Know your pipeline value and capacity at all times.

Multi-City Coverage — If you work across multiple cities or counties, see all your markets on one map. No more checking separate government websites for each jurisdiction.

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