Climbing up ladders to inspect roofing, vents, flashing and trim, or checking out a hot water heater in a dusty basement, is certainly not every woman’s idea of a good time. But Kimberly Gore, a 1981 Catoctin High School graduate and owner/operator of A Closer Look, Inc. Home Inspection Service, thinks her job is a lot of fun.

"It’s very rewarding. In addition to doing the inspections, I like to educate people about their homes and how to take care of them," says Ms. Gore.

In fact, the owner of the 14-month old company, which is headquartered in Emmitsburg Maryland, and serves Frederick, Carroll and Washington Counties, encourages clients to accompany her on home inspections. Then, as she takes approximately three hours to inspect an average-sized house, she educates the potential homeowners on the home’s maintenance and safety measures.

"Getting an unbiased, expert assessment of a potential new home is important in protecting the largest investment that most consumers make," notes Ms. Gore.

Careful Preparation & Practice

The former owner of a home remodeling business, with 17 years in operations and sales in the computer industry, Ms. Gore brought a solid business background to her new venture. Then, she spent nearly a year taking educational courses and preparing to open A Closer Look. She studied and passed the National Home Inspector Exam and the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors Exam, including their Code of Ethics Obstacle Course and Standards of Practice test. She is also a member of the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors.

Ms. Gore has also completed the Radon Measurement Operations Course, the National Environmental Health Association National Radon Proficiency Program and the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Disaster Inspection training.

"Radon, which is a radioactive gas that comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water, is a larger issue than most people realize," explains Ms. Gore. Radon is estimated to cause about 21,000 deaths per year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes (EPA 402-R-03-003), and the EPA recommends that all homeowners test for Radon.

"Frederick, Washington and Carroll Counties are in the highest potential radon zones," so it’s especially important for residents to have their homes tested," says Ms. Gore.

With energy costs increasing, many people are also interested in steps they can take to cut their home’s energy costs. "I’m also certified to perform a Home Energy Tune-Up® that shows homeowners how they can make improvements that will save them more on energy bills than the cost of the improvements," explains Ms. Gore. This can be done as part of a total home inspection or as a stand-alone service.

High Tech Plus High Touch

In planning her business, Ms. Gore utilized her technical background; inspections can be scheduled on her website, which is a real plus for real estate professionals. Easy-to-read inspection reports with detailed narrative explanation of the report results, plus digital photos, are also available on a special area of her website.

In spite of the high tech aspects of her business, it’s Ms. Gore’s service that distinguishes A Closer Look. "For example, I am very respectful of the house – I wear booties or take my shoes off, and lay down a sheet (to catch dust) when I open the attic door," she explains.

Advantage in Tighter Market

In a tighter real estate market, getting a pre-listing inspection can also be an advantage to sellers, notes Ms. Gore. "If your home is in top condition, you’re more likely to get the

highest price in the shortest time. And by doing a pre-listing inspection, you can identify problems early, and then either correct them or present them as is, assuring that the first offer you accept can move quickly and smoothly to closing without delays or costly surprises," she explains.

Property managers also frequently request limited home inspections. A Closer Look is working with the National Association of Real Estate Property Managers to provide customized, semi-annual inspection programs on rental properties.

To contact A Closer Look, Inc., call 240-367-7043, kag@inspectacloserlook.com,  or visit the company website at www.inspectacloserlook.com.