by Scott Frakes, CMI® | Jun 2, 2026 | Home Safety
When people think about home safety, they usually picture smoke detectors or locked doors. But during home inspections across Northern Michigan, I routinely find more hazards that are at least as serious hidden behind walls, inside attics, beneath decks, and in crawl...
by Scott Frakes, CMI® | May 19, 2026 | Home Inspection
If there’s one thing I’ve learned inspecting properties across Northern Michigan, it’s this: decks are neglected. Not occasionally — consistently, and across all price points. Some of the most expensive lakefront homes I’ve walked into have...
by Scott Frakes, CMI® | May 5, 2026 | Home Inspection
A Certified Master Inspector’s Guide to Attic Inspection in Northern Michigan The attic is one of the most revealing spaces in any home. In my experience performing more than 2,000 inspections across Northern Michigan, I’ve found that the attic tells...
by Scott Frakes, CMI® | Apr 21, 2026 | Home Inspection
Log homes are one of Northern Michigan’s most distinctive property types — and one of the most misunderstood when it comes to home inspection. A log home inspection covers everything a standard inspection does, but it also requires knowledge of issues that...
by Scott Frakes, CMI® | Apr 7, 2026 | Home Inspection
Do I Need a Home Inspection When Buying a Home? It’s not required by law in Michigan, and most lenders won’t mandate it either. But “not required” isn’t the same as “not necessary.” The short answer to “Do I need a home...
