Certified Home Inspector Serving Lapeer County, Michigan
Lapeer County has become an increasingly appealing destination for Michigan home buyers — offering more space, more rural character, and more value than the densely developed suburbs to the south and west, while still providing reasonable access to Metro Detroit. Buyers drawn to Lapeer County's lakes, rolling countryside, and small-town communities are making a smart choice. They're also, in many cases, encountering a type of housing stock that requires specific inspection expertise.
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HHI Hodge Home Inspections serves home buyers throughout Lapeer County. Erik Hodge is based in Oxford — just across the Oakland County line — making him ideally positioned to serve Lapeer County buyers without extended travel. More importantly, he understands rural and semi-rural Michigan properties: well systems, outbuildings, lakefront considerations, and older construction that was built before many of the standards buyers in suburban markets take for granted.
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Why Lapeer County Inspections Are Different
Lapeer County's rural and semi-rural character means buyers here regularly encounter property features that are uncommon in Oakland or Macomb County — and that require specific knowledge to evaluate properly.
Municipal water and sewer service is not universal in Lapeer County. Many properties — particularly in townships rather than the incorporated cities — rely on private wells and septic systems and water quality testing is strongly recommended for any property on a private well.
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Many of Lapeer County's older homes were owner-built or constructed under less standardized conditions than suburban homes. Non-standard framing, unconventional electrical installations, and plumbing that reflects the practices of a different era are common findings that a trained inspector will identify and explain clearly.
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Lapeer County's lakes — including Holloway Reservoir, Squaw Lake, and dozens of smaller inland lakes — make it an attractive destination. Waterfront properties require attention to moisture systems, foundation exposure, and the unique maintenance demands of lakefront living.
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Pole barns, garages, older agricultural structures, and detached workshops are common on Lapeer County properties. These structures are often part of what makes the property attractive, and understanding their condition is part of understanding the full investment.
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Services Available Throughout Lapeer County
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Residential Home Inspection — starting at $395
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Radon Testing — $185 with home inspection
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Water Quality Testing — $145–$195
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Mold Testing — surface testing from $50
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Wood Destroying Organisms (WDO) Inspection
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Air Quality Testing — starting at $275
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Pre-Listing Inspection — $300
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Cities we serve and common issues we find:
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Also serving: Attica Township · Burnside Township · Burlington Township · Deerfield Township · Elba Township · Goodland Township · Hadley Township · Hadley · Imlay Township · Lapeer Township · Marathon Township · Mayfield Township · North Branch Township · Oregon Township · Rich Township · Clifford · Otter Lake
Home Inspections in Lapeer, Michigan
Lapeer is the county seat and largest city in Lapeer County — a small city of roughly 9,000 residents centered on a historic downtown and the Lapeer County Courthouse, one of Michigan's most recognizable historic landmarks. Its real estate market offers solid value for buyers drawn to a small-town character with access to county services, schools, and community amenities.
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Lapeer's housing stock reflects the city's history — a mix of older homes in and near the historic downtown core, mid-century residential development in surrounding neighborhoods, and some newer construction on the city's edges.
Older downtown-adjacent homes frequently present aging electrical systems, original or early-replacement plumbing, and rooflines that have seen multiple Michigan winters. The city is served by municipal water and sewer, which removes the well and septic considerations common in the surrounding townships — though water quality testing remains available and can be valuable for older homes with aging interior plumbing.
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Home Inspections in Imlay City, Michigan
Imlay City is Lapeer County's second largest city — a small community of roughly 3,500 residents in the southern part of the county, approximately 20 miles north of the Oakland County line. Named for early settler Nathan Imlay, it has a strong agricultural heritage and a modest but active real estate market.
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Imlay City's housing stock is predominantly older — mid-century and earlier construction that reflects the city's rural Michigan roots. Common inspection findings include aging electrical systems, galvanized steel plumbing, and heating systems that are aging or have been partially updated over decades.
The city's connection to agricultural heritage means some properties have outbuildings or accessory structures that add complexity to the inspection scope.
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Home Inspections in Almont, Michigan
Almont is a small village and township community at the crossroads of Lapeer and Macomb counties — a community that has attracted buyers seeking rural character with convenient access south toward the Metro Detroit corridor. Its historic downtown district, with preserved 19th and early 20th century commercial buildings, reflects a community with deep roots.
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Almont's residential properties span a wide age range — from genuinely historic homes that predate common building standards to mid-century construction to newer homes on larger parcels outside the village.
The mix creates varied inspection scenarios, with older properties requiring particular attention to structural, electrical, and plumbing conditions. Properties outside the village core frequently rely on well and septic systems
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Home Inspections in Metamora, Michigan
Metamora is one of Lapeer County's most distinctive communities — a village surrounded by equestrian estates, rolling countryside, and one of Michigan's most beautiful rural landscapes. The Metamora-Hadley State Recreation Area, the historic White Horse Inn, and the area's equestrian culture make it a sought-after destination for buyers seeking an exceptional quality of life.
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Metamora's real estate market skews toward larger, higher-value properties — estate homes, equestrian facilities, and substantial country properties that represent significant investments. At these price points, a thorough inspection by a certified professional with real trade knowledge is essential.
Properties in the Metamora area frequently feature well and septic systems, outbuildings and equestrian structures, and older construction that has been maintained with varying degrees of care over the decades.
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Home Inspections in North Branch, Michigan
North Branch sits in the northern tier of Lapeer County — a small community with a strong agricultural character and real estate that reflects the rural Mid-Michigan setting. Its properties span from in-town residences to substantial rural parcels with outbuildings and agricultural features.
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North Branch properties frequently feature well and septic systems, and water quality testing is strongly recommended for any private well property in this area.
Older construction, outbuildings, and the full range of rural property inspection considerations are common here.
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Home Inspections in Columbiaville, Michigan
Columbiaville is a small village in the northern part of Lapeer County along the Flint River — a community with a historic character and properties that span from older in-town homes to rural parcels in the surrounding township. Its position near Holloway Reservoir makes it attractive to buyers interested in recreational access.
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Properties near Holloway Reservoir and the Flint River have the waterfront and near-water inspection considerations common to lakefront Michigan real estate: moisture management, foundation conditions, and seasonal vulnerability to water table fluctuation.
Home Inspections in Dryden, Michigan
Dryden Township and Village sit in the eastern part of Lapeer County — a rural community with properties that blend residential and agricultural character.
The area's proximity to the Oakland County border makes it attractive to buyers who want rural space without straying too far from Metro Detroit's employment and amenity base.
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Dryden properties are predominantly on larger parcels and frequently feature well and septic systems, detached structures, and older construction. Water quality testing is specifically recommended for Dryden well-water properties.
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Ready to get started? Erik offers flexible scheduling, upfront pricing with no hidden fees, and detailed digital reports delivered within 24 hours.