HomeTeam Inspection Service

In recent years, the real estate market has seen dramatic shifts, driven by fluctuating inventory, changes in buyer sentiment and changes in the overall economy, driving uncertainty among buyers. For some in the home inspection industry, changes in the real estate market can feel destabilizing, but&nbsp;<a href="http://hometeamfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=real-estate-market-shifts-2730924" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">HomeTeam Inspection Service</a>, the 200-unit home inspection franchise, has a distinct advantage, even during market shifts.“The ups and downs of the real estate market do not worry us because homes are always being sold,” said Director of Operations&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-cook-a2810b8b?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=real-estate-market-shifts-2730924" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Matt Cook</a>. “The market is always moving. And, even when sales slow, homeowners still need additional services like asbestos testing, energy audits and four-point inspections.”Even in slowing real estate markets,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/hometeaminspectionservice/info">HomeTeam’s</a> data tells another story. Though total home sales are below what is considered standard for a “good market” this year, HomeTeam is still outpacing the industry, seeing double-digit year-over-year revenue growth.HomeTeam’s resilience is driven by a few key factors.<h2>The Return of the Negotiating Buyer</h2>One of the biggest shifts HomeTeam has observed is in buyer behavior. A few years ago, when interest rates were low and competition for homes on the market was high, many buyers would waive the home inspection contingency in order to close the deal. Today, buyers are more conscious about making the most of each dollar spent, and inspections are a key tool for doing so.“A home inspection is not a pass/fail evaluation,” Cook said. “It’s an opportunity to learn about the state of the home, and the report can be used as a tool for negotiation.”He gives the example of an inspection report that identified a roof issue. Rather than walking away, buyers used the findings in the report to secure a solution that worked for both parties. In this case, the seller had the roof replaced prior to closing — without increasing the sale price at all.<h2>Efficiency and the “One Call Does It All” Advantage</h2>In addition to sale-related inspections, HomeTeam offers ancillary services that increase ticket size and help franchise owners make the most of each client relationship. The “One Call Does It All” philosophy means an agent or buyer can make a single call to HomeTeam and schedule every necessary service, from a standard inspection to specialized testing.This allows owners to capture more revenue from a single interaction and position themselves as the expert resource in their community. And with the team approach, inspections can still be completed more efficiently, creating a more seamless experience for the client and allowing owners to fit more inspections into a single day.<h2>The HomeTeam System and Proactive Involvement</h2>Possibly one of the most important factors driving HomeTeam’s stability, despite real estate market shifts, is the community-focused approach emphasized in the HomeTeam model. The franchise model empowers franchise owners to act as true owners rather than just operators. While inspection teams handle technical work on-site, owners focus on sales, marketing and becoming a true pillar of their local communities.Cook notes that franchise owners who are constantly out and about, engaging with members of the community, build a positive reputation for themselves and lay the foundation for trust well before a transaction takes place. “People want to do business with people they have a relationship with,” Cook said. “We’ve seen this time and time again. Even when the real estate market slows, our owners who stay true to the model and remain involved in their communities stay steady, and when the real estate market bounces back, they rebound even more strongly because they have made this time investment on the front-end.” To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/hometeaminspectionservice">https://1851franchise.com/hometeaminspectionservice</a>.&nbsp;

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How HomeTeam Thrives Despite Real Estate Market Shifts

1851 Franchise

While many inspectors face uncertainty with shifts in the real estate market, HomeTeam’s unique team-based model, ancillary services and emphasis on community drive steady success.

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How HomeTeam Inspection Service Navigates a Shifting Real Estate Market

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For years, homeownership has felt out of reach for many buyers, with the average age of first-time homebuyers getting older each year. Lately, though, the market has started to shift as builders and buyers adjust to new conditions.As rents continue to rise, people are finding themselves at a crossroads, realizing it may be more affordable to buy than rent. And while the barriers to entry for purchasing an existing home remain high, builders are stepping in with more aggressive tactics to decrease hurdles and move inventory. So, while there isn’t a traditional buyer boom going on, there’s a strategic opening created by builder incentives.“Building a home is more incentivized than it’s been in a long time, and that’s going to cause an influx of buyers, first-time and otherwise, building homes rather than buying existing ones,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-cook-a2810b8b">Matt Cook</a>, Director of Operations at&nbsp;<a href="http://hometeamfranchise.com">HomeTeam Inspection Service</a>. “For&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/hometeaminspectionservice/info">HomeTeam</a> franchise owners, this presents a unique opportunity. Even new homes need inspections, and HomeTeam owners have an opportunity to drive business by completing inspections both before the buyers take the keys and at the 11-month mark to provide a thorough report before the warranty expires.”&nbsp;<h2>The Incentive-Driven Shift</h2>The median age of first-time homebuyers is increasing, but the market isn’t stalled. Rather, the new market core is defined by steadily dropping interest rates and remarkable new home build incentives.“If people see that renting is not valuable to them anymore, they’re going to buy a home. And generally, when this wave happens, you’re going to have buyer credits,” Cook said. “We need to build homes faster, and the more we can build and the cheaper they are to build, the more attractive the market is, and the faster our housing booms. Offering buyer incentives is one of the key ways to do this.”Major national builders are utilizing their own financing arms to offer mortgage rates much lower than the national standard, and many are offering “flex cash,” upgrade credit and closing cost assistance to excite buyers and move-in-ready inventory.“These can make a major difference in the value of the home for the buyer,” he said. “These credits are things like, instead of spending $7,500 on a stone fireplace, the builder will give you $15,000 in flex cash to choose any upgrades you want throughout the home. Or, when I built a home in 2015, the incentive was a free deck or finished basement.”For current renters already considering taking the leap to homeownership, incentives like these that can represent tens of thousands of dollars in value are just the push they need.<h2>Supply and the Inspection Gap</h2>The appeal of these incentives is backed up by the data. In early 2010, construction began on about&nbsp;<a href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/HOUST">600,000</a> new privately owned homes. In early 2025, that number was around 1.5 million.This rise in supply is essential to long-term housing availability and affordability, but in the short term, it can come at a cost.&nbsp;“The reality is, as homes are built faster, the quality is at risk because of the rush to complete the project and move on to the next,” Cook said. “There have also been changes in the kind of building materials used. These factors only reinforce a truth qualified inspectors have known for decades: Just because it’s a new home doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get a home inspection. Having an inspector check it before you take over the keys is critical.”There are structural deficiencies that home inspectors can identify prior to closing to ensure a new-build home is up to standard, and there’s also an opportunity to bring an inspector in again around the 11-month mark.“Most new builds will come with a one-year warranty,” Cook said. “Buyers should still get an inspection before closing, but another inspection after living in the home for 11 months is a smart idea. The inspector can again go through the home and identify anything that needs to be resolved, helping buyers make the most of their investments.”<h2>Building Momentum for Franchise Owners</h2>New construction is creating more inspection touchpoints, and that translates into steady demand for HomeTeam owners. Pre-closing inspections, 11-month warranty checkups and routine home health visits can keep schedules full and revenue consistent.Central to this growth opportunity is HomeTeam’s education-first, non-alarmist approach to home inspections and reporting. Rather than causing panic over findings or reporting on whether a home is “good” or “bad,” HomeTeam inspectors empower clients with knowledge and support them in making an informed decision. This builds trust and lays a foundation for a long-term client relationship.For prospective franchise owners, 2026 is a prime time to join the system. With AI-enhanced reporting, new marketing strategies and a changing real estate market, Cook says the team is preparing for “parabolic” growth in the coming years.To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/hometeaminspectionservice">https://1851franchise.com/hometeaminspectionservice.</a>&nbsp;

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How HomeTeam Inspection Service Navigates a Shifting Real Estate Market

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