“Home watch” means different things to different companies, and that is part of the problem for owners trying to compare options. So instead of describing it in general terms, here is exactly what happens when we visit one of our clients’ properties.
Outside first
- Walk the full perimeter, checking doors, windows, and screens for signs of forced entry or damage
- Look at the roof line, soffits, and gutters for anything out of place after wind or rain
- Check the pool and pool cage, if there is one, for standing debris or structural issues
- Note the condition of landscaping and irrigation, since a broken sprinkler head can flood a yard for days unnoticed
Then inside
- Confirm the AC is running and holding a safe humidity level, this is the single biggest cause of mold and interior damage in an unoccupied Florida home
- Run water at a few fixtures to check for leaks and to keep traps from drying out and letting sewer gas in
- Check under sinks, around the water heater, and near appliances for any sign of moisture
- Look for pests: this is Florida, and an empty house is an invitation if it is not checked regularly
- Confirm smoke detectors and any security system are active and undamaged
Before we leave
- Collect mail and packages so the house does not visibly signal “nobody’s home”
- Reset anything that needs resetting: lights on timers, garage doors, alarm codes
- Take dated photos of anything unusual, and of the property generally
The part that matters most: the report
A visit that isn’t documented might as well not have happened. After every visit, you get a written report with photos, not just a text saying “all good.” If something needs attention, you hear about it that day, with photos, so you can make a decision from wherever you are.
See it for yourself
Reach out and we can set up a schedule that fits your property and how often you want eyes on it.