Home Inspection Blog

Some of the most expensive home repairs I’ve seen started with something small. Really small. Not a failing roof. Not a cracked foundation. Not a furnace gasping for its last breath. Sometimes the problem starts with a $12 outlet. More specifically: A missing or failed GFCI receptacle. And that tiny safety device can be the difference between: a minor repair, a serious electrical hazard, water damage, or a very expensive insurance claim.

There is something incredibly satisfying about walking into a freshly renovated house. New floors. Fresh paint. Modern kitchen. Updated bathrooms. Brand-new appliances that still have the stickers on them. Everything smells new. Everything looks clean. And somewhere in the distance, a gray vinyl plank floor is being installed in another house. As a home inspector, I've inspected plenty of renovated and flipped homes throughout Illinois. And I want to make something clear befo

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,

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 An outdated home gets modernized.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.