by Scott Frakes, CMI® | Nov 3, 2026 | Home Inspection
Is a certified master inspector worth it when buying a home? For most Michigan buyers, yes. The reason is simple: Michigan doesn’t license home inspectors. There’s no state exam, no required training, and no state board. That means anyone can call themselves a...
by Scott Frakes, CMI® | Oct 6, 2026 | Home Inspection, Home Safety
Buying a home is thrilling right up until the moment you lie awake wondering what you cannot see behind the walls. For a lot of buyers I work with, the fear that keeps coming back is fire. “Is the wiring safe? Could that old panel in the basement be a problem?...
by Scott Frakes, CMI® | Sep 8, 2026 | Home Inspection, Roofs, Uncategorized
You’ve found the house. It checks the boxes, the offer’s coming together, and then the question creeps in: what shape is the roof really in? For most buyers, the roof is the single biggest source of quiet worry. It’s costly to replace and...
by Scott Frakes, CMI® | Aug 18, 2026 | Home Inspection, Real Estate
An investment property inspection is a comprehensive home inspection performed on a property you intend to rent rather than occupy yourself. While it evaluates the same major systems as any residential inspection—roof, structure, plumbing, electrical, HVAC,...
by Scott Frakes, CMI® | Jul 7, 2026 | Electrical Inspection Articles
When I open the door to an electrical panel during a home inspection in Gaylord, Petoskey, or Charlevoix, I’m looking at one of the most consequential components in the entire house. The panel is the nerve center of your home’s electrical system. It...
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...
