Home Inspections and Aging-in-Place: Boomers Embrace Reverse Mortgages

Matt Cook, director of business development with HomeTeam Inspection Service, recently discussed with Reverse Mortgage Daily how the aging-in-place trend among older homeowners is significantly influencing the home inspection industry.

With many baby boomers preferring to remain in their existing homes, there is skepticism toward new construction quality and reluctance to give up historically low mortgage rates for higher current rates.

Cook notes that the home inspection industry is experiencing growth due to increased inspection requirements from mortgage, title and insurance companies, especially related to home equity lines of credit and reverse mortgages.

“[It’s being done] just to verify the status of the home prior to releasing those funds,” Cook said. “For us, whether they’re aging in place, buying new construction or just buying a residential property, there’s an opportunity that we’re seeing, and it is growing from the inspection industry’s perspective.”

He emphasizes that reverse mortgage professionals are ideal partners for home inspectors and advises inspectors to build relationships with lenders and loan originators.

Additionally, Cook cautions that inspectors have a reputation as alarmists due to their role in identifying potential problems, suggesting professionals partner with inspectors who communicate issues sensitively to avoid unnecessarily alarming clients who wish to age in place.

“Home inspections are a great thing, and everybody should recommend them because everybody should understand the status of the biggest asset that they own at all times,” Cook said. “But make sure that you’re partnering with a home inspector who’s not going to scare your client since that wouldn’t be good for the mortgage industry or the client’s psyche.”