"From university cottages to mountain properties across the Cumberland Plateau — Lane Ragsdale and Lighthouse bring a Certified Master Inspector's eye and clear, color-coded reports to every home in Sewanee and Monteagle."
Sewanee and Monteagle sit atop the Cumberland Plateau, a scenic mountain community known for the University of the South at Sewanee, the historic Monteagle Assembly, and cool-weather retreats that draw homeowners and second-home buyers alike. The area's housing ranges from historic cottages and university homes to mountain properties and newer builds tucked into the plateau. Lighthouse Home & Property Inspection Services — owned and operated by Lane Ragsdale, a Certified Master Inspector (CMI®) licensed in both Tennessee and Alabama — is based nearby in Fayetteville and inspects properties throughout Sewanee, Monteagle, and the surrounding plateau.
Mountain and plateau homes bring their own regional challenges. The area's moisture and cool, damp conditions make crawlspaces, ventilation, and mold especially worth watching, while humid summers and storms test roofs and drainage. The region also sits in higher-radon country, and older cottages and mountain homes carry era-specific concerns like aging wiring, worn roofs, and past repairs that an experienced eye knows to check.
That's why Sewanee and Monteagle homeowners choose Lighthouse. You get a Certified Master Inspector (CMI®) licensed in Tennessee and Alabama, a clear, color-coded report with photos, and an inspector who walks the home with you and gives honest, practical advice. Mold and air-quality testing, radon, thermal imaging, and sewer-scope inspections are all available under one roof. Call or text Lane at 931-307-1524 to schedule your inspection on the plateau.
Every inspection is handled personally by Lane — thorough, photo-documented, and delivered in a clear, color-coded report. Here's what Lighthouse offers across Sewanee & Monteagle and the surrounding area:
A complete top-to-bottom evaluation of the home you're buying — the foundation of every confident purchase.
Selling? Know what buyers will find before they do, and negotiate from a position of strength.
Independent checks at every stage — pre-drywall, final, and the 11-month builder warranty.
Thorough inspections for commercial and investment properties, with clear documentation.
IAC2-certified mold inspection and indoor air-quality testing to protect your family's health.
Certified testing for this invisible gas — the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.
Real reviews from clients who have trusted Lane and Lighthouse Home & Property Inspection with their biggest investment.
"Lane performed a very thorough inspection of the house we are buying. All of the issues found were well documented with photos and written explanations. Unfortunately there were more issues than we expected with a fairly new (10 yrs) house. This is why you have the inspections done. I would definitely recommend him to anyone who needs a property inspection."
— William Cubberley
Google Review
"Lane was communicative, thorough, and professional. Did a great job identifying potential issues through the inspection and helping us understand what the findings meant."
— S H
Google Review
"Incredibly thorough with his inspection process and informative on the issues he addressed that needed repaired. 10/10 recommend him for home inspections"
— Brady Lemon
Google Review
Based nearby in Fayetteville, TN, Lighthouse Home & Property Inspection Services covers Sewanee, Monteagle, and the surrounding Cumberland Plateau — from university homes to mountain retreats and newer builds.
Answers to the most common questions Sewanee & Monteagle-area homeowners ask before scheduling a home inspection.
A Lighthouse home inspection evaluates the major systems and components of the property, including the roof, foundation, structure, attic, insulation, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, built-in appliances, siding, and grounds as they pertain to the home.
We document what we find with photos and explain the findings in plain language using a color-coded report, so you can quickly understand what matters most and prioritize any issues before making your decision.
For an average home, plan for about 4 hours on-site, depending on the size, age, and condition of the property. Lane never rushes — he takes the time the home needs.
You are not required to be present for the entire inspection. Our inspections typically take approximately four hours, and our reports are clearly organized, color-coded, and written in plain language to help you understand the findings.
Because inspections require careful concentration, interruptions and distractions can sometimes extend the inspection time or make it more difficult for the inspector to remain focused on the property.
Clients are always welcome to attend; however, we generally recommend arriving approximately 3½ hours after the scheduled start time. This allows the inspector to complete most of the inspection without interruption and provides an opportunity to review the major findings with you once the inspection is completed.
After you receive and review your report, we are also happy to answer any questions and discuss the findings with you.
Yes. These are ancillary services available for an additional fee and should be requested when scheduling the inspection.
Lighthouse provides mold inspections and indoor air-quality testing (IAC2 Certified), radon testing, and infrared thermal-imaging scans that can help identify conditions such as hidden moisture, electrical hot spots, and insulation gaps.
Sewer-scope inspections, pool & spa inspections, and outbuilding inspections are also available.
Quickly — often within a day. You'll receive a clear, color-coded report with photos that separates major concerns from minor ones, so you're never left waiting when you have decisions and deadlines.
The fastest way is to call or text Lane directly at 931-307-1524, or use the form on our contact page. We'll find a time that fits your closing timeline and get your inspection on the calendar.
Based in Fayetteville, TN and serving communities across Southern Middle Tennessee and North Alabama. Click any area below to learn more about Lighthouse there.
Call or text Lane today • Certified Master Inspector (CMI®) • Licensed in TN & AL • Serving Southern Middle Tennessee & North Alabama Since 2019