In our latest “Ask an Expert” session, we sat down with Ken Aaron of Virtual Home Inventory, a specialist in creating complete digital records of estates.
Ken begins every project with a 3D scan of the property, inside and out, before moving through each room to document items in detail. From heirlooms and art collections to HVAC serial numbers, his method captures the full scope of an estate.
The finished product is a virtual model that allows users to ‘walk’ through a property and click on items to see details, appraisals, and documentation. This approach provides a clear record for insurance claims, helps determine accurate coverage levels, and supports planning for emergencies. It also strengthens day-to-day estate management by keeping track of valuable assets across multiple residences.
In addition to whole-property inventories, Ken noted that his system has applications for collection management and succession planning. Having a clear record of household contents helps stakeholders understand the scope of collections, supports decisions about distribution, and provides families with peace of mind that important items have been accounted for and properly documented.
The conversation addressed common gaps that appear when estate teams attempt to manage inventories on their own. Important details such as signatures on artwork or maker’s marks on collectibles are often missed. Cabinets and drawers may be overlooked, and managers balancing multiple responsibilities rarely have time to capture items systematically. Ken’s process ensures that nothing is skipped, which saves time and reduces risk for the estate.
We also touched on privacy and security. Ken’s system can blur or block sensitive areas, strip GPS data from photographs, and store information in a secure portal or on client-controlled servers. He avoids using family names in file structures and works with each estate to set the right level of access and protection.
The full podcast conversation offers more detail about how Virtual Home Inventory works, what Estate Managers can provide to support the process, and how this service can reduce risk while creating peace of mind.
