Home inspection in Savage.

What we see in Savage homes.

Savage began as a trading post in 1852 and incorporated in 1892 as the village of Hamilton, renamed for Marion Willis Savage, owner of the racing horse Dan Patch. It covers 16.42 square miles, with the Minnesota River as its northern boundary and the Credit River flowing north through it. Development stayed limited until the 1980s and 1990s, then the upgrade of Highway 13 and the 1996 Highway 169 Bloomington Ferry Bridge set off suburban expansion. Population grew from 222 in 1940 to 32,465 in 2020, with 11,460 housing units, so most homes are from the 1990s to the present.

Homes from a fast build-out have their own pattern. Grading that has settled since the builder finished, decks and their flashing, roof shingles and ventilation, and the caulking and siding around windows are the points worth noting. In houses from the late 1990s and 2000s, builder-grade shortcuts in the attic, ductwork and framing are worth watching for. Homes on slopes near the river and the Credit River get extra attention for drainage and retaining walls. Scott County is EPA Radon Zone 1, and MDH recommends every Minnesota home be tested.

Local facts checked September 2026 against: Wikipedia, Minnesota Department of Health.