Home access market turns corner

WATERLOO, Iowa – VGM Live at Home has a number of new agreements lined up that will help to position the home accessibility market for “rapid growth” by the end of this year, says Jim Greatorex. 

“The home accessibility market is at a turning point,” said Greatorex, vice president of VGM Live at Home. “There’s going to be real, rapid growth by the end of this year and into 2022, where’s it’s going to be really noticeable.” 

Here’s what Greatorex had to say about how big names like Lowe’s and AAG, in concert with VGM Live at Home and its national network of certified full-service home access contractors, will propel that growth and more. 

Lowe’s Livable Home 

Lowe’s is aggressively entering the accessible housing market, Greatorex says. While some may think having Lowe’s and its 1,700 stores entering the market as a detriment to independent contractors, he believes they will need contractors for installation and will want to partner with VGM Live at Home members to help them grow that business. 

“They’re a rising tide that can raise all ships,” he said. “Partnering with Lowe’s will help bring more awareness to the industry and increase public awareness of aging-in-place contractors to a new level.”

Financing options 

VGM Live at Home has signed an agreement with AAG, which Greatorex says owns 60% of the home equity loan market and has Tom Selleck as a high-profile spokesperson. The agreement will help home access companies increase financing options for potential customers, he says. 

“Home equity will be a highly utilized financing vehicle for seniors to use for home modifications for the foreseeable future,” he said. “AAG is a professional company with a passion to help seniors find the funding they need for their home environment needs.” 

Opened doors 

VGM Live at Home has also signed a marketing agreement with Senior Home Services, a professional business development and marketing company in the aging-in-place market, and an exclusive distribution agreement with Entrematic, a global manufacturer of commercial doors of all kinds. 

“Entrematic is partnering with VGM Live at Home to bring a new, high-quality automatic door opener to the residential market,” Greatorex said.