Home Inspection Blog

Nobody wakes up on a Saturday morning hoping to spend $25,000 on their house. Unfortunately... Houses don't always ask for permission. As a home inspector with Midwest Inspect, I inspect homes every day throughout Illinois. While most inspection reports include maintenance items and smaller repairs, every now and then I come across defects that make everyone standing nearby quietly say: "...Well, that's going to be expensive."

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.

As a home inspector with Midwest Inspect, summer is one of my favorite seasons. Homeowners are finally outside again, tackling projects that have been on the "I'll get to it next weekend" list since April. It's also the season when small maintenance issues can become expensive repairs if they're ignored. And for realtors and homeowners alike, this is the season where proactive maintenance can make or break a deal—or protect thousands of dollars in equity.

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

House flipping can be a beautiful thing. A neglected property gets a second chance. An outdated home gets modernized. An ugly duckling becomes the nicest house on the block. I've inspected some fantastic flips over the years. But I've also inspected some homes that appeared to be renovated by a group of caffeinated squirrels armed with YouTube tutorials and unlimited confidence. The challenge for buyers is this: Some flips are professionally done. Some are cosmetically done.

"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

The Magical Thinking That Comes with a $39 Gallon of “Problem Solver” There are two types of paint in this world: Paint that makes a house look better Paint that tries to convince you nothing is wrong As a home inspector with Midwest Inspect, I’ve seen both. And let me tell you — the second one works great… right up until someone with a flashlight shows up. The “Out of Sight, Out of Mind” Mindset Somewhere along the way, homeowners discovered a powerful belief: “If I can’t se