Dogwood Home Inspection

09/11/2026

A first-time buyer's room-by-room guide to what a home inspector actually checks — roof, foundation, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC — plus red flags vs. normal wear.

08/10/2026

What’s wrong with this picture? 🔍🏠

During a recent home inspection, I came across this deck joist hanger. It’s designed to hold the structural weight of the deck floor, but it’s missing one critical thing: the fasteners!

Every pre-drilled hole in a metal joist hanger needs to be filled with a code-approved structural hanger nail or screw. Leaving these empty relies almost entirely on luck to keep the joist attached to the ledger board—a huge safety hazard when a deck is loaded with family and friends.

3 quick things to check under your own deck:

*Are all metal connector holes filled?

*Are the fasteners structural connector nails/screws (and not standard drywall or deck screws)?

*Is there any severe rust or corrosion on the metal hardware?

Safety starts from the ground up! If you're buying, selling, or just haven't had your deck evaluated in a while, a professional home inspection gives you total peace of mind.
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08/09/2026

Thinking about skipping the chimney inspection? Think again! 🏠🔥 A standard visual home inspection covers the exterior and accessible parts of your chimney, checking for loose brick, crumbling mortar, and proper flashing. Spotting these red flags early can save you thousands in masonry repairs and keep your family safe from fire hazards or dangerous fumes.

Got questions about what’s included in a home inspection? Drop them in the comments! 👇

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07/22/2026

Definitely important to make sure your waste pipe is ALL the way connected.

07/21/2026

"It's brand new, so I don't need an inspection." We hear this a lot — and it's the most expensive myth in real estate.

New homes get inspected by the municipal building inspector, but that inspector is checking code compliance, not workmanship. A furnace that's up to code can still be installed wrong. A roof can pass inspection and still leak in year two.

An independent inspection catches what code doesn't cover — before it's covered up by drywall.

07/20/2026

There’s a common assumption among buyers of new-build homes: it’s brand new, so it must be flawless. The paint is fresh, the appliances are untouched, and no one has ever lived there. What could possibly be wrong?

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There’s a common assumption among buyers of new-build homes: it’s brand new, so it must be flawless. The paint is fresh, the appliances are untouched, and no one has ever lived there. What could possibly be wrong? As it turns out, quite a bit. New construction homes are built quickly, by many di...

07/03/2026

Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make, and most buyers feel a little out of their depth walking through a property they’re considering. The good news? You don’t need a professional license to notice some of the most common warning signs. Training your eye to catch these issues early can save you time, money, and heartache — and help you decide which homes are worth a serious look.

Here are ten red flags you can spot on your own, plus why each one matters.

10 home inspection red flags you can spot yourself before buying — from water stains to foundation cracks. Know what to watch for before you call a pro.

07/01/2026

Every home has a story - and every detail matters.

From roofline to the foundation, a thorough home inspection helps protect your investment and gives you peace of mind before you move in.

Inspect & Protect Your Investment

06/12/2026

When most people think about home inspections, they picture a nervous buyer hiring an inspector to vet a property before closing. But there’s a growing trend among savvy sellers: getting your home inspected before you list it. It might sound counterintuitive — why go looking for problems? — but a pre-listing inspection can be one of the smartest moves you make in the selling process.

Here’s why more sellers are choosing to inspect first, and how it can work in your favor.

Discover why smart sellers get a pre-listing home inspection. Avoid surprises, speed up closing, and sell on your terms. Learn the benefits for sellers here.

05/26/2026

New blog post up about what home inspectors look for and what you can expect from your home inspection report. https://dogwoodhomeinspection.com/what-a-home-inspection-includes/