In any popular vacation area, it is not uncommon to find many second homes or vacation homes sitting empty during the off-season. They are vulnerable and at risk.
With the help of the right home watch service, you can find peace of mind knowing that someone is looking out for your property. This is a deterrent to intruders and an easy way to ensure your home is safe, secure, and maintained when you can’t be there.
Here are 5 tips for choosing the right home watch service for your property.
1. Know What Services You Need
Many home watch companies will offer a list of services to meet your needs. This may range from just a quick look at your property’s exterior or interior every month to mail and package pickup, battery checks, and HVAC filter replacement every week.
Having an idea of what it is you are looking for from your home watch team will make it much easier to narrow down the list and find the best option.
2. Look For Someone Local
It is always a good idea to choose a home watch company that is local. Should something go wrong at your property or should an emergency arise, you can feel confident that someone local will be able to reach your property rather quickly.
What’s more, someone local will know the area and likely have a network of connections so they may be able to offer you additional services if needed.
3. Make Communication a Priority
When a home watch company is caring for your property, you will want to know when they arrive, what they did while they were there, and when they left. You will also want the reassurance that the home is safe and secure.
Before you make your hire, discuss their level of communication and the best way to reach them for a prompt response.
How quickly your initial call was addressed is the first place to take notice of their ability to verbally connect.
4. Request a List of References
Unless they really are just starting fresh in the business, an honest and trusted home watch service will be able to offer you references upon request.
Once you receive these references, don’t just sit them aside — call them. Ask questions about the services they received and whether or not they were happy and comfortable with it. It is always a good idea to ask if they still use the service and, if not, why they stopped.
5. Ask the Right Questions
If possible, meet your home watch company face to face and ask all the right questions. Just be sure to have a list written down somewhere so that you don’t forget anything.
Below are a few questions to consider.
- Are you bonded and insured?
- Do you offer storm preparation or visits in the event of an emergency?
- How flexible are your schedules in case storms/emergencies happen?
- What form of payments do you take and how is this paid?
- Do you personally visit the property or do you have a staff that handles it? If staff, are they thoroughly vetted?
Choose Shore Perfection Home Watch Services
If you want the right home watch service, then choose Shore Perfection Home Watch Services. We offer a long list of services and packages meant to fit every need and every budget. Let us give you the peace of mind you are seeking.
Schedule a consultation today.