Home Inspection Insights
The Journal
Expert insights for Milwaukee & Waukesha homeowners
Your Year-End Home Maintenance Checklist
Close out the year with a simple home maintenance checklist that protects your biggest investment through the Wisconsin winter and beyond.
MaintenanceThe Most Common Inspection Findings in Milwaukee-Area Homes
After decades of inspections, certain issues come up again and again in Milwaukee-area homes. Here are the ones we see most.
BuyersHoliday Home Buying: The Pros and Cons of a Winter Purchase
Buying a home over the winter holidays has real advantages and a few catches. Here's how to make a smart cold-season purchase.
BuyersMulti-Family and Duplex Inspections for Investors
Buying a duplex or small multi-family in the Milwaukee area? Here's what a thorough investor-focused inspection should cover.
SystemsKnob-and-Tube and Old Wiring in Historic Homes
Milwaukee's historic homes are beautiful, but some still have knob-and-tube or other dated wiring. Here's what buyers need to know.
MaintenanceFrozen Pipe Prevention for Wisconsin Winters
A burst pipe can flood a home in minutes. Here are simple steps to keep your pipes from freezing during a Wisconsin cold snap.
MaintenanceWindow and Door Drafts: Sealing Up for Winter
Drafty windows and doors waste money all winter. Here's how to find the leaks and seal them, plus what inspectors note about windows.
MaintenanceIce Dams: What Causes Them and How to Prevent Them
Ice dams cause serious roof and ceiling damage in Wisconsin winters. Learn what causes them and the fixes that actually work.
MaintenanceWhy You Should Inspect the Roof Before the First Snow
A small roof issue in October becomes a big one under January snow and ice. Here's why a pre-winter roof check is worth it in Wisconsin.
BuyersBuying a Condo: What's the HOA's Job vs. Yours?
Condo inspections are different from houses. Learn what the association maintains, what you're responsible for, and what to check before buying.
New ConstructionThe 11-Month Warranty Inspection for New Builds
Most builder warranties last one year. An 11-month inspection helps you catch covered issues before that window closes. Here's how it works.
MaintenanceChimney and Fireplace Safety Before Winter
Before you light the first fire of the season, here's what to know about chimney and fireplace safety, and what an inspector looks for.
MaintenanceGutters and Downspouts: Get Ready Before the Leaves Fall
Clogged gutters cause more damage than most homeowners realize. Here's how to get your gutters and downspouts ready before autumn.
SystemsFall Furnace Prep: What Inspectors Check Before Winter
Before the first cold snap, here's what we check on a furnace and what every Wisconsin homeowner should do to stay safe and warm.
New ConstructionNew Construction Pre-Drywall Inspection, Explained
Building new? A pre-drywall inspection catches issues while they're still easy to fix, before the walls close up. Here's what it covers.
MaintenanceMold in the Home: What's Normal and What's Not
Spotted something dark in the basement or attic? Here's how to tell ordinary surface mold from a moisture problem that needs real attention.
BuyersSewer Scope: Why It Matters for Older Milwaukee Homes
A sewer scope can save older-home buyers from a five-figure surprise. Here's what it is and why it matters in Milwaukee's established neighborhoods.
SystemsWater Heater Warning Signs You Shouldn't Ignore
Water heaters rarely fail without warning. Learn the signs your unit is near the end, and what we check during a home inspection.
SellersThe Pre-Listing Checklist That Helps You Sell Faster
A simple pre-listing checklist for Milwaukee-area sellers: the small fixes and one smart inspection that help your home sell faster and for more.
StructureWet Basements and Sump Pumps in Southeast Wisconsin
Basement moisture is one of the most common issues we find in SE Wisconsin homes. Here's what causes it and how to keep your basement dry.
SystemsElectrical Panel Red Flags Every Buyer Should Know
Some electrical panels and wiring types are known safety concerns. Here are the red flags we look for during a Milwaukee-area home inspection.
BuyersBuying in a Hot Market? Don't Waive the Inspection
Waiving the home inspection to win a bid is a risky move. Here are safer ways to stay competitive in the Milwaukee market without going in blind.
StructureFoundation Cracks: When to Worry and When Not To
Not every foundation crack is a crisis. Learn which cracks are normal, which are warning signs, and how an inspector tells the difference.
RadonDoes the Season Affect Radon Testing in Wisconsin?
Radon levels can shift with the seasons. Here's what that means for testing your Wisconsin home in summer versus winter, and why you should still test.
SystemsWhen Your AC Can't Keep Up: HVAC Red Flags to Watch
If your air conditioner is struggling in the Wisconsin heat, here are the HVAC red flags we look for and what they mean for buyers and homeowners.
MaintenanceSummer Heat and Your Roof: What Milwaukee Homeowners Should Know
How summer heat and poor attic ventilation quietly age your Milwaukee roof, the warning signs we look for, and simple steps to extend its life.
Home Buying TipsWhat to Expect at Your First Home Inspection
A clear walkthrough of what happens during your first home inspection, what we check, and how to prepare. From House to Home Inspections.
Safety & HealthWhy Every WI Home Purchase Needs Radon Testing
Why radon testing belongs in every Wisconsin home purchase, how it works, and what to do if levels are high. Guidance from House to Home Inspections.
Selling Tips5 Things to Fix Before Listing Your Home
Five fixes that help your home sell faster and for more before you list, from the Milwaukee inspectors at House to Home Inspections.
Home InspectionMilwaukee's Most Common Inspection Findings
The issues we find most often during Milwaukee home inspections and what they mean for buyers and sellers, from the team at House to Home.
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