"Unbiased, accurate, and thorough home inspections you can trust — proudly serving De Soto and all of Southern Illinois with the integrity your biggest investment deserves."
Real Spect Home Inspections is built on the belief that the purchase of a home is likely the largest and most important investment most people will ever make. Our job is to remove the guesswork — and the emotion — so you walk into closing with clear eyes and full confidence in the property you're about to buy.
Owner and lead inspector Eric D. Smith has personally completed more than 9,000 inspections across Southern Illinois over 29 years in the field. From the foundation to the roofline, we evaluate the whole home, document everything thoroughly, and explain what we find in plain language — free of technical jargon — in an easy-to-understand, on-site computer-generated report.
Meet Eric SmithFrom full home inspections to specialized mold and indoor air quality testing, Real Spect covers what Southern Illinois buyers, sellers, and homeowners need — all delivered with plain-language reporting you can actually use.
A Real Spect specialty — thorough mold inspection and indoor air quality testing to protect your family's health and identify problems before they spread.
Learn More →Carbon monoxide detection and testing to catch this silent, dangerous gas — giving you peace of mind about the air in your home.
Learn More →Combustible gas detection and testing to identify leaks and hazards around appliances, lines, and fittings before they become a danger.
Learn More →Moisture detection and testing to reveal hidden water intrusion and damp conditions that lead to rot, mold, and costly structural damage.
Learn More →For sellers who want to address issues before going to market — know your home's condition up front and avoid surprises at the closing table.
Learn More →A thorough, independent look at a newly built home before you take ownership — catching defects and unfinished work while they're still the builder's responsibility.
Learn More →Planning a renovation? A pre-remodeling inspection uncovers existing conditions and potential issues so you can budget and plan with confidence.
Learn More →Eric D. Smith has personally completed more than 9,000 inspections across Southern Illinois over 29 years in the field. That depth of hands-on, field-tested experience is something few inspectors in the region can match — and it shows in the thoroughness of every report.
Every inspection is delivered with the same standard: unbiased, accurate reporting that follows the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) Standards of Practice and Illinois state standards, explained clearly so you understand a property's true condition. Eric provides post-inspection consultation and repair advice, and offers a free, no-commitment cost consultation to homeowners considering an inspection.
"Eric was the best communicator I dealt with in the whole process of buying a place. He did a very thorough inspection with detailed explanations and photos in the report, and was happy to talk through any questions during the review. He saved me a lot of time and money, and I'd trust him to be fair and honest in any of your dealings. It's extremely valuable to have someone so knowledgeable on your side during this process, and I'm thankful to have found him."
"Eric did a fantastic job on our home inspection! We are moving from Tennessee to Illinois, and we needed the job done efficiently with good communication. Eric walked us through the entire house, explaining everything clearly and directly as he went. As a result of his detailed survey of our roof, we were able to get the seller to replace it without additional charges! Eric is extremely knowledgeable about building materials, electrical, sewer, and plumbing, and he knows the area very well. Above all, I really respected his honesty and care for his customers. I would recommend him highly to anyone!"
"Eric Smith was pleasant and thorough. He explained some things a couple of times until I had a solid idea of what he was talking about. He emphasized the issues that had to be fixed for safety, and could show me pictures to help me understand what was going on with the structure. The final report was sent the next day, despite the inspection having been on a Saturday. The report itself was very nice, with nice pictures. Eric came well recommended from several people I know, and I feel like I got a great value for a very important service."
Answers to the questions Southern Illinois buyers, sellers, and homeowners ask us most.
A Real Spect home inspection evaluates the major interior and exterior components and systems of the home — including the roof, foundation, structure, heating, cooling, ventilation, insulation, plumbing, electrical, and the lot. Eric documents what he finds and explains it in plain language, so you understand the condition of the home and the priority of any issues before you make your decision. Every inspection follows the ASHI Standards of Practice and Illinois state standards.
Yes — it's one of our specialties. Real Spect provides mold inspections and indoor air quality testing, along with carbon monoxide detection, combustible gas detection, and moisture detection. These are the environmental concerns that most directly affect your family's health, and we emphasize them in every applicable inspection.
Radon testing, termite (wood-destroying organism) inspections, and sewer scope inspections are coordinated through trusted, qualified partners so you can arrange everything through a single point of contact. Just ask when you schedule, and we'll help line up the additional testing you need.
Yes — we encourage it. Being on-site lets you see any issues firsthand, ask questions in real time, and discuss needed repairs as we go. Combined with the plain-language written report, it's one of the most valuable ways to understand exactly what you're buying.
You'll receive an on-site, computer-generated report that's free of technical jargon and easy to understand. It documents the home's condition clearly so you know what matters, what can wait, and what to prioritize — no decoding required.
Yes. Real Spect Home Inspections is a State of Illinois Licensed Home Inspection company — license #450.000678 — and every inspection follows the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) Standards of Practice as well as Illinois state standards.
Real Spect Home Inspections is based in De Soto and serves communities across Southern Illinois — including Anna, Benton, Carbondale, Cartersville, Du Quoin, Herrin, Pinckneyville, and West Frankfort. If you're not sure whether your address falls within our service area, give us a call — we're happy to confirm.
Call Eric at 618-924-1982, email smithrealspect@frontier.com, or fill out the form on our Contact page. We also offer a free, no-commitment cost consultation if you'd like to talk through your needs before booking.
Locally owned and operated from De Soto, Illinois — Real Spect Home Inspections serves communities across Southern Illinois and the surrounding region.
Real Spect Home Inspections proudly serves De Soto plus the surrounding communities of Southern Illinois.
IL License #450.000678 • ASHI Standards of Practice • 9,000+ Inspections • Serving Southern Illinois for 29 Years
