The senior population is growing fast – today one in six Americans and Canadians is over 65. That’s over 56 million seniors! Many of these seniors want ( and can afford) second homes, so the number of second homes has also soared right along with the baby boomer retiree population in the last 2 decades.
As the number of second homes has grown, so has the need for someone to look after both the primary and second homes while the owners are away. And because home prices have increased so much, they are a major investment that requires paid professional care to prevent and control damage and risks for everything from natural disasters to a leaky faucet.
Today almost all insurance companies require regular home checks by a pro if a home is to be vacant for extended periods of time. According to industry insiders, home watch services have now become a multi-billion dollar industry, with steady growth and great prospects for the future, as it’s an essential, recession-proof service that’s needed every year regardless of whether the economy is booming or not.
This growing demand for home watch services has created a golden opportunity for those who can help provide regular home checks and peace of mind for seniors who are away from their homes for months at a time.
It’s important to note that home watch services are needed in all communities, not just in vacation or sunbelt areas. For example, when a “snowbird” homeowner leaves their primary residence in the fall to spend a few months in the sunbelt, a skilled home watch pro is needed to look after their home during the winter months to prevent problems. When they return to their primary residence, another home watch pro looks after their sunbelt home, typically during the summer months when the owner has gone back north.
How much can you make?
The national average for a routine home check is $34, with most homeowners choosing weekly home checks. A typical home check takes 20-30 minutes, so with 2 visits per hour, the hourly rate is $68. Say you wanted to work just 20 hours per week – how much money could you make? Using the national average of $68 per hour, you could make $1,360 per week or over $5,400 per month for part-time work. If you want to work full time, $10,000 a month is within reach.
Best of all, a home watch business can be started with very little money. If you have a reliable vehicle and a smartphone, you’re almost there. You’ll need to get a business license, brochures or flyers, and business cards, which are very affordable at places like vistaprint.com. Another plus is that a home watch business can be started with no expensive training and no franchise fees, just common sense and a can-do attitude.
The rewards of providing home watch services in your town are great – not just in dollars and cents – but in the satisfaction of providing peace of mind for your clients who rely on you for regular home checks when they are far away.
To learn more about starting your own home watch business, visit myhomewatchbusiness.com