by Ona Martin | 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® | Mar 24, 2026 | Home Safety
Buying a home is one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make. The last thing you want to discover after closing is that you’re living in a former meth lab. Knowing the meth house signs to look for — before you make an offer — can protect your...
by Scott Frakes, CMI® | Feb 24, 2026 | Home Safety
When Hurricane Helene devastated Asheville, North Carolina in September 2024, more than 100 people lost their lives and damages exceeded $59 billion. A city once considered a “climate haven” experienced catastrophic flooding few believed possible. Northern Michigan...
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...
by Scott Frakes, CMI® | Dec 16, 2025 | Gaylord, Home Safety, Radon Testing
If you’re buying or selling a home in the Gaylord area, radon testing is one step you don’t want to skip. Many people are surprised to learn that Northern Michigan—especially around Gaylord—has some of the highest radon levels in the entire state. Because radon is...
by Scott Frakes, CMI® | Dec 2, 2025 | Home Safety, Radon Testing
If you’re a homeowner in Northern Michigan, you might be surprised to learn about a silent threat lurking right under your feet — radon gas. This invisible, odorless gas is one of the leading causes of lung cancer for non-smokers in the United States. Understanding...
