There appears to be an advisor blind spot to the presence of a very large asset found in most households: the home. Add to this, the finding that households in the United States have a widespread problem of retirement inadequacy (Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 2019). While the use of reverse mortgages and home equity later in life is more recently at the forefront of financial planning to help with this inadequacy, there should also be lifestyle discussions initiated by a financial planner when a client is buying a home, and throughout home ownership (such as decisions about refinancing, moving to a larger home) to make better home ownership financial decisions throughout life and ensure retirement success (Herring, 2019). Data derived from a Financial Advisors survey shows a consensus on needing to advise clients on varying housing matters and a diversity of responses on whether they feel adequately educated to do so. Lifestyle choices are for the client to decide, but the financial planner should be prepared to offer advice on a variety of priorities, including the home, which is often a client’s most valuable asset (Blanchett, 2017).
