Home Inspection Blog

As a home inspector with Midwest Inspect, I've seen what happens when a great cookout turns into an expensive insurance claim. So before you light the grill, spark up the smoker, or declare yourself Captain of the Backyard BBQ Brigade, here are a few tips to help keep your celebration safe—and stress-free.

I Appreciate the Effort, But Please Don't Do This to Your House Tales of DIY Disasters: Exploring the Top 10 DIY Home Repairs Gone Wrong. As a home inspector with Midwest Inspect, I want to start by saying something important: I love DIY projects. Some homeowners are incredibly talented. I've seen beautiful decks, impressive renovations, custom woodworking, and repairs that rival professional craftsmanship. And then... I've seen the other stuff. The repairs that make me stop,

As a home inspector with Midwest Inspect, the first 60 seconds often tell me a surprising amount about a property. Now before homeowners panic...This isn't about judging. I'm not grading landscaping choices. I'm not criticizing lawn ornaments. And I'm definitely not reporting your inflatable Christmas decorations still standing in June. But homes leave clues. Lots of clues. And many of them are visible before I ever step foot inside. Let's take a walk from the street to the f

The Questions Homeowners Google at 10:37 PM Every home inspector knows the look. A homeowner points at something in their house and asks: "Is that normal?" Sometimes the answer is: "Absolutely." Other times the answer is: "Well... let's talk about that." As a home inspector with Midwest Inspect, I hear the same questions over and over again. And honestly, they're good questions. Homes make noises. Things crack. Things settle. Things leak. And Google isn't always helpful. So l

"The 5 Things Slowly Destroying Your Illinois Home" 💧 Water ⬇️ Gravity ❄️ Freeze-Thaw Cycle 🌳 Trees 🔧 Deferred Maintenance

A Home Inspector’s Friendly Guide to Preparing Your Home for Inspection Home inspections are important. They help buyers understand the condition of a home, identify safety concerns, and avoid expensive surprises. But sometimes… The biggest obstacle during the inspection isn’t the house itself. It’s the mountain of storage bins, Christmas decorations, old paint cans, and mystery totes stacked directly in front of every major system I need to inspect. Clear the Clutter: Ensuri

The Most Common Exterior Problems Showing Up in Home Inspections This Time of Year (SPRING) Top Exterior Problems Found in Home Inspections: Address Landscaping Issues, Remove Dead Tree Limbs, Clear Debris in Gutters, Repair Cracked Driveways, Fix Damaged Siding, Ensure Safe Electrical Lines, Seal Window and Door Trim, Correct Grading and Drainage, Control Roof Moss, and Secure Deck Components. Spring in the Midwest is a magical season. The birds come back. The grass turns gr