Hodge Home Inspections Blog

Your inspection report isn't just a list of problems—it's your most powerful negotiation tool when buying a home. Learn how to strategically use inspection findings to protect your investment and negotiate effectively.

That gorgeously renovated home with the stunning kitchen might be hiding expensive secrets behind fresh paint and new fixtures. Before you fall in love with the surface-level beauty, discover what experienced inspectors know about flipped homes and why a thorough inspection is crucial for your protection.

In this episode of our series we discuss water features for your home, with Mark Raymond from TMI Properties, Erik Hodge of HHI Home Inspections, and guest Kurt Pieper of Verdant Landscape Consultants.

As a real estate agent, you're not a home inspector—but you need to understand inspection reports well enough to guide your clients through one of the most critical phases of the transaction.

In this episode of our series "The Running Commode" we discuss weatherproofing your home and preparing it for sale. Proper preparation can enhance your home's appeal and ensure it meets buyer expectations.

Planning to sell your Detroit-area home? Learn the most common inspection findings in our market and how to address them before buyers find them first.

Understanding the limitations of home inspections helps set realistic expectations. Learn what inspectors can and can't evaluate so you're not caught off guard.

Should you attend your home inspection? Absolutely. Learn why being present gives you invaluable insights about your future home and how to make the most of inspection day.

Learn to distinguish between serious red flags and normal wear in your home inspection report. Understand what issues require immediate attention and what can wait.

Everything first-time homebuyers need to know about home inspections in metro Detroit. Learn what to expect, how to prepare, and what questions to ask your inspector.

Buyers closing between September and February face immediate pressure to prepare homes for winter. Understanding these time-sensitive priorities helps buyers budget and plan accordingly.

During home inspections, identifying frozen pipe risks requires examining both visible plumbing and the spaces where pipes run. While inspectors can't see inside walls, multiple indicators reveal which homes face the greatest winter risks.

During a home inspection, experienced inspectors evaluate multiple indicators that suggest a home is vulnerable to ice dams or has experienced them in the past. These signs tell a story about the home's building envelope and can significantly impact negotiations.

When to Worry: Reading Foundation Cracks in Your Michigan Home. In part 3 of our guide, we explain what home buyers and home sellers need to know about foundation cracks.

Southeast Michigan has a perfect storm of conditions that make basement waterproofing critical. In Part 2 of our series for Michigan home sellers and buyers we breakdown basement waterproofing solutions.

In this comprehensive guide, you'll learn why Michigan foundations are uniquely vulnerable, the #1 factor that prevents 90% of foundation problems (hint: it's not expensive), and how to create a seasonal maintenance plan that protects your biggest investment.

Most sellers wait for the buyer's inspection, then scramble when issues appear. Smart sellers use this checklist BEFORE listing to discover issues before buyers do, price accurately from day one, and show they're transparent, prepared sellers.

Here are some easy spring home maintenance tips to keep your home in great shape: Inspect Your Roof:  Check for any damaged or missing...

Why collaboration between the home inspector and real estate agent benefit the client.

This easy to do list will have you ready before the flakes start to fly