Why You Should Hire a Home Watch Company
Do you have a second home that is vacant for long periods of time?
As a part time resident, do you worry about your home while you are not there?
When you arrive at your second home, do you have concerns as to what condition your going to find it in?
When you hire a home watch company, your home will be checked on when you are not in town.
A home watch company will make sure your home is in good condition when you arrive and you do not have to spend time fixing issues that occurred while you were away.
Top Reasons Why You Need A Home Watch Service
Hiring a home watch company helps protect your second home.
Having a security camera is helpful to see or record trespassers, but does it tell you if your water heater is leaking?
Having a neighbor pick up your mail helps your home not look vacant, but does your neighbor complete a whole house inspection, inside and out?
Below are the common issues that all homeowners should be concerned with while away from their home.
Theft
Here in Western North Carolina, we fortunately have a low crime rate. However, robbery of a second home is easy to commit and is not discovered for weeks or months later.
Even if you live in a gated community, theft is an issue. I live in a gated community and the thefts that occurred were done by workers and contractors allowed to come in the gate. Unsavory characters notice that a home is empty and take advantage of the situation.
A regular home watch inspection will not eliminate theft, but having someone stop by your home at on a regular basis will help reduce that risk, and discover quickly if there has been a break in.
Water Damage
Water leaks are one of the most common causes of damage to a home.
Even if the water supply is turned off (which I recommend), water damage is a cause for concern. Your roof can leak. Hot water heaters can leak. AC drain lines can leak. If you leave your water supply turned on, the list of potential leaks is almost endless.
The key to water leaks is stopping them before the water ruins something from extended contact. If a water leak is left unchecked, the damage to a home can be catastrophic, especially for a multi-level home.
Mold and Mildew
Have you ever come back to your second home to discover your house has a musty smell?
Do you have dehumidifiers that need to be emptied? Do you have moisture absorbers (such as Damp Rid) that need to be changed?
Your HVAC is the first line of defense against mold and mildew. The HVAC system and dehumidifiers need to be checked for proper operation. Air filters should be replaced on a regular basis as well.
If the water supply is on – your dishwasher, toilets, showers and sinks need to by cycled to keep fresh.
Service Worker Verification
Do you have service workers clean or maintain your home while you are gone?
Workers at your second home and might cut corners if they know nobody is coming behind them to check their work. This applies to landscapers, house cleaners, etc.
A home watch company will check and ensure workers are doing their jobs properly.
Arrangements can be made for workers to have access to your home, without having to give your key hiding spot or door code to yet another person.
Storm Damage
Do you want to know your home has not been damaged after a major storm?
Western North Carolina has a four season environment. We can get heavy rains in the spring and summer, deep snows and sub-freezing temperatures in the winter, and damaging winds any time of the year.
A home watch company can check your home and property after a major storm event, to make sure all is well, and help get any damage repaired as soon as possible.
In short, a home watch company can be your advocate or boots on the ground when you are away. They can find issues with your home before they become expensive disasters. You can relax and enjoy your second home when you arrive – not spend your valuable time working on it.