Tennessee's Strawberry Capital still throws a festival every May — and Mark Schumacher gives Portland buyers a builder's honest read on the home they're about to call their own.
Portland began as Richland Station, a stop the Louisville & Nashville Railroad opened in 1859, and took its current name in 1888 after mail kept getting crossed with another Tennessee town called Richland. Strawberry growing made it famous, and the Middle Tennessee Strawberry Festival, first held in 1940, still fills downtown each May. The city sits up on the Highland Rim, mostly in Sumner County with a slice in Robertson County, and has grown past 13,000 residents. Housing ranges from older homes near the railroad to brick ranches and newer subdivisions, plus farm properties where wells and septic systems may be present. Mark drives north from Hendersonville to reach it.
Mark Schumacher handles every Portland inspection himself, from the first phone call to the final walk-through of the report. He holds Tennessee Home Inspector License #1374 and the InterNACHI Certified Professional Inspector credential, and he spent more than four decades building in over 40 states before turning to inspections. Because he books a single home per day, he has time to crawl under an older farmhouse or trace a roofline on a new build without watching the clock.
Portland buyers pick SP&D for straight answers and a phone that actually gets picked up, weekends included. On qualifying inspections, Portland buyers also receive a 90-day home warranty and a 5-year roof leak warranty, while veterans, teachers and first responders are offered a discount. Call Mark at 561-301-7571 to lock in your Portland inspection date.
Whether it's a house near downtown, a fresh subdivision build or a few acres outside town, here's what SP&D can inspect and test in Portland.
Buyer's inspections for Portland houses, townhomes, condos, manufactured homes, VA purchases and small multi-unit properties.
Phase inspections for new Portland builds, from pre-drywall through the final walk-through and 11th-month warranty check.
Testing for radon, mold, indoor air, water quality, well water, asbestos and lead paint.
Infrared scans, sewer line camera work, leak tracing and termite and WDO inspections.
Detailed evaluations of the roof, exterior, foundation, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, crawl space and attic.
Pre-listing, rental and investor, maintenance, consultation and re-inspection visits for Portland owners.
Buyers from Portland and the farm country around it describe the same experience — an inspector who is patient, detailed and easy to reach.
"Mark Schumacher from SP&D is by far the best home inspector I've had the pleasure of dealing with. Having him inspect the home we were about to buy was the best decision we made. He was so thorough, and detailed. He saved us from unexpected costs, pointing out issues that might've been overlooked by other inspectors. He answered all my phone calls, even on weekends, and fully explained all the issues. I would highly recommend him to anyone thinking of buying a home, to protect yourself with the best. His knowledge and experience is second to none. We will definitely use him again in the future."
— Johnny Azoulay
Google Review
"Mark did an excellent job. He was extremely thorough with great attention to detail. We had a poor experience with an inspector the last time we bought a home, so it was very important to us to feel confident that things were being handled in the best way possible. Mark was wonderful and took the time to go over every inch of the house with us and explain the things he'd found that needed attention. He was happy to answer our questions and was extremely knowledgeable about the subject matter. I would recommend him to anyone who is thinking about buying and needs an inspection. Thank you, Mark!"
— Sylvia Jones
Google Review
"I would give 10 stars if I could. Great job and complete inspection, very professional. Highly recommend their services."
— David Haverly
Google Review
From his base in Hendersonville, Mark covers all of Portland and the rural roads around it on both sides of the Sumner and Robertson County line.
A few things Portland buyers usually want to know before booking.
It is. Portland falls comfortably within the 60-mile radius Mark covers from Hendersonville. Call 561-301-7571 to check open dates.
Yes. Well water testing is part of our environmental services, so it can be added to an inspection on any home that draws from a private well.
Regularly. Mark's construction background helps him read older framing, past additions, aging wiring and plumbing, and crawl space conditions on homes that have been around for decades.
There are. Veterans, teachers and first responders all receive a discount, so let Mark know when you schedule.
Portland is one of the northern Sumner County towns on Mark's regular route. Pick another nearby community below to see how SP&D serves it.
Sumner & Robertson Counties • TN License #1374 • InterNACHI CPI • One Inspection Per Day • 5-Year Roof Leak Warranty