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...
by Scott Frakes, CMI® | Mar 10, 2026 | Home Inspection, Roofs
Ice dam damage is one of the most expensive — and most overlooked — problems I find in Northern Michigan homes. A single winter of untreated ice dams can lead to roof leaks, structural rot, mold growth, and insulation failure. Worse, the damage often goes unnoticed...
by Scott Frakes, CMI® | Feb 17, 2026 | Home Inspection, Aging in Place
Summary: Will Your Dream Home Support Three Generations—Or Become a Costly Mistake? Most families don’t discover their ‘perfect’ multigenerational property can’t handle the load until after closing—when the septic system fails or the...
by Scott Frakes, CMI® | Feb 3, 2026 | Home Inspection, Aging in Place
You’ve found it—the Northern Michigan home where you can finally watch every season unfold over Little Traverse Bay, walk to your favorite Petoskey coffee shop, and never worry about another move. But here’s the question most retirees don’t ask until...
by Scott Frakes, CMI® | Jan 13, 2026 | Aging in Place, Home Inspection, Home Safety
We all want the same thing as we get older: to stay in the Northern Michigan homes we love for as long as possible. Whether it’s a quiet retreat near Harbor Springs, a family home in Gaylord, or a lakeside house in Charlevoix County, your home is where your memories...
