Expanding Home Prep Franchise Offers a Scalable Model with High Demand
As a thriving emerging brand, HOMEstretch franchise enjoys its steadily increasing role as a trusted resource cosmetically improving residences before they go on the market. Serving property owners and real estate agents, HOMEstretch franchises clear away unwanted possessions, paint, install flooring, upgrade landscapes, perform handyman services, and do general cleaning. They have created, built, and are dominating the “HOME preparation” industry category.
Franchisee Ian Ouellette (top photo) liked the HOMEstretch franchise for several factors, including its momentum within a strong niche market. When asked why he chose to invest in HOMEstretch, Ouellette enthusiastically responds, “It’s fun! I really enjoy transforming homes and helping clients achieve higher, faster offers than they expected.” More analytically, “the franchise’s scalability and high-growth potential, driven by efficient systems and strong market demand, were major draws,” says Ouellette, who soft-launched his Charleston, S.C., franchise in February and went full-bore in April. “The founders, Derek and Nick, have built an innovative, supportive brand and continue to enhance the HOMEstretch system.”
History of the HOMEstretch Franchise
Nick Lobert and Derek Shewmon recognized that Realtors and homeowners could use relief from the burdensome chore of managing presale prep, and in 2019 launched their brand. “After our first full year of HOMEstretch, we knew that we had tapped into a true market need and started to think through expansion,” Shewmon says. “Based on our previous work experience, we saw the challenges of trying to scale a service-based business through a central corporate structure. We were intrigued with the idea of franchising HOMEstretch because we knew that it worked best when it was run by a passionate business owner who wanted to build an empire.”
So the founders’ next step was affirming the concept’s viability as a franchise. “We launched our second location, Columbus, Ohio, in August 2021 to see if we could replicate the playbook that we had in Cincinnati without our direct involvement,” Lobert says. “Once that proved itself, we got serious about the franchising path. After a lot of diligence and work, we ended up launching our franchising strategy in November 2023.” To accelerate expansion, Lobert and Shewmon recently partnered with REP’M Group, a full-service franchise development company.
As they’ve added franchisees, Shewmon says he and Lobert have learned that “community and culture are everything. We wanted to create a dynamic environment where our business owners felt empowered to help each other and be committed to making HOMEstretch No. 1 in home preparation. Taking the time to set a culture and bring in the right people who believed in that mission was critical for us in those early months.”
Franchisee’s Validation and Workday
Ouellette, who retired from the Air Force in 2021 and later served as chief operating officer of his wife’s pediatric speech and occupational therapy practice, praises the pair for doing things right. “HOMEstretch provides robust training resources, including detailed manuals and ongoing support, to ensure franchisee success. I traveled to Cincinnati for initial training, and the headquarters team scheduled weekly calls during our first few months to guide our launch. The team remains responsive, providing assistance whenever we need it.”
He and his wife, Lauren, “saw franchise ownership with HOMEstretch as a business opportunity that would scale faster than an independent start-up, and we’d be doing something we’d enjoy while serving our community. We’re really excited by the response to our services. In a two-month period, we helped 10 clients boost their homes’ value before listing it. We’ve also already earned repeat referrals from Realtors, which means a lot because building relationships with Realtors is key to the success of HOMEstretch. Our community is eager to embrace our services, and we’re excited to continue to grow and help more people.”
Ouellette has two employees, a project manager and a sales consultant. His main franchise challenge has been juggling duties as an owner-operator. “My day begins the night before, when I create a plan and checklist with my project manager using our CRM [customer relationship management system]. The next morning, he confirms that projects are running smoothly and alerts me to any issues. I manage emails, pursue new leads, and often conduct consults or make presentations at Realtor offices to build new partnerships. Every day brings variety, which keeps the business exciting.”
Enthusiasm for the Home Prep Franchise
The founders share his enthusiasm. “We get so excited for the key milestones that a business owner achieves, such as their first consultation, first deal and first testimonial,” Lobert says. “It’s rewarding to see the passion that our business owners have for the business and for helping people in stressful life situations. We love this business to our core, and it’s so fulfilling to watch others build HOMEstretch faster and better than we could ever dream of six years ago.”
Successful franchisees share several qualifications. “They must be able to build relationships and have the necessary grit needed to build a great company,” Lobert says. “They’re problem-solvers. They are incredibly disciplined and passionate about building their businesses. Our mission is to make HOMEstretch the national leader in the home preparation market. We’re not going to stop until we achieve that goal.”
REP’M, which provides growing franchises with assistance from real estate and sales veterans, is powering HOMEstretch toward that objective. John Taylor, HOMEstretch Franchise Development Director, says, “Franchise candidates and many in franchising are buzzing about this brand. We have awarded around 80 units just this year, with over 165 total awarded in the last 18 months. Territories are still available all over the country – we are growing responsibly with the right people, and our people make this brand!”
Market and Contact Info
HOMEstretch franchisees can count on a large market for their services. Millions of preowned homes sell each month; for instance, in June 2025 – when high interest rates choked real estate deals – 3.9 million homes were sold, according to the National Association of Realtors. That total was the same in June 2024.
For more information about opportunities with the home prep franchise, visit the HOMEstretch website.
