(HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA)-"One thing I know for sure,” says Paula Camarena, a franchise owner with Pillar To Post Home Inspectors®, the largest home inspection company in North America. "Don't skip your home inspection during this seller's market.” The Huntington Beach resident just celebrated her three-year anniversary with the franchisor in December and serves homebuyers, sellers and REALTORS® throughout Orange County.

The U.S. building inspectors’ industry, measured by revenue, is estimated to have a market size of $4.9 billion in 2022, according to global research firm IBISWorld. But for Camarena and other women like her, it's not a stretch to say they are still trailblazers in an industry where women are considered to be significantly underrepresented. Women made up 14 percent of the country's 108,000 construction and building inspectors in 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

But home inspectors make up only a small portion of the overall construction and building inspectors category, and when that's considered, the numbers are even more telling. According to the most recent figures, women comprise two percent of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) and four percent of the International Association of Home Inspectors.

Prior to joining Pillar To Post Home Inspectors, Camarena was in the technology field for 20 years. She also earned an MBA in 2013. However, she wanted to pursue a business opportunity that closely aligned with her personal experiences in buying and selling investment properties. As a homebuyer, she knew the importance of understanding the condition of a home and any potential future costs that might need to be addressed. That's when a friend suggested she consider being a home inspector.

“What I find important in the Pillar To Post system, is the constant innovation. I don't think being a female in a male dominated industry is a barrier anymore,” Camarena said. “I think being willing to learn new things and evolve with new technologies is the game changer in any business."

Pillar To Post Home Inspectors' new technologies and business model provides an exceptional home inspection with unique and innovative features that are all delivered within a seamless brand experience. All developed pre-pandemic and ready to be utilized when the pandemic struck, the new features further highlight Pillar To Post Home Inspectors' standing as a visionary in its industry:

PTP360 is available with every home inspection and provides an interactive, 360-degree visual inspection summary that literally brings the inspection report to life and includes every room and a home's exterior. It can be accessed anywhere, anytime from any device and shared with family or contractors.

PTPEstimates provides a cost estimate for inspection summary items. This upgrade is very useful for sellers who do a pre-listing inspection, letting them learn what recommended repairs will cost based on prices charged in their area. Estimates can be requested with one click.

PTPFloor Plan provides an accurate floor plan of the entire home. This useful upgrade can be used to determine furniture fit and placement, and also provide exact dimensions to contractors for estimating purposes.

PTPHomeManual is an upgraded service that literally provides a digital owner's manual for a home, letting users download manuals/warranty information, find safety recalls on appliances, learn the age and useful remaining life of systems and much more.

Pillar To Post Home Inspectors has achieved the highest standing in various rankings of “Best in Category,” “Top 20 Franchises to Buy,” “Top 10 Global Franchises” and “Top Franchises for Veterans," in addition to achieving 5-Star status with VetFran, a program offered by the International Franchise Association that provides discounted franchise fees to veterans. A professional evaluation both inside and outside the home is at the core of Pillar To Post Home Inspectors' service. Pillar To Post Home Inspectors input data and digital photos into a computerized report. All information is provided to clients in a customized binder for easy reference, allowing homebuyers or sellers to make confident, informed decisions.

With Camarena's extensive education and intuitive approach to business, she has demonstrated time and again her ability to go outside the box, protecting her clients from future liability. “I am so excited to be able to do what I am passionate about and that is being of service to those I work with,” she said.

As she begins her fourth year with Pillar To Post Home Inspectors, Camarena said one inspection in particular has given her a good story to tell, even though it was somewhat harrowing. “I did get stuck in an elevator in a beachfront home and no one was there,” she said. “I eventually figured out how to get out, but I did have a little bit of a panic attack.”

About Pillar To Post Home Inspectors®

Founded in 1994, Pillar To Post Home Inspectors is the largest home inspection company in North America with home offices in Toronto and Tampa. There are nearly 600 franchises located in 49 states and nine Canadian provinces. They've ranked in Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise500® for 25 years. Long-term plans include adding 500 to 600 new franchisees over the next five years. For further information, please visit www.pillartopostfranchise.com.