What is Home Watch... Understanding the Differences Between Home Watch, House Sitting, Property Management and Home Inspection

Making an Informed Decision

If you own a seasonal or unoccupied home, you may have wondered what type of service is needed to insure it is properly looked after during your absence. While there are several options, it is essential to understand the differences so you can make an informed choice. Each serves a unique purpose, and depending on your situation, one may be more suitable than the others. Let's break them down.

What is Home Watch?

Home Watch is a specialized service designed to provide periodic visits to unoccupied homes to recognize damage in the early stages, before it becomes a disaster. The commonly recognized definition is: "Home Watch is a visual observation of a home or property looking for obvious issues." During each visit, a trained professional conducts a thorough check of the property, both inside and out. This includes looking for potential issues such as leaks, HVAC malfunctions, or pest infestations - problems that could escalate into costly repairs if left unchecked.

In addition to peace of mind, many homeowners opt for Home Watch because insurance companies may require periodic visits to unoccupied homes as part of their policy terms to ensure coverage remains valid. Home Watch service is preventative in nature. The goal is to spot and report issues early. Home Watch professionals provide detailed, on-line reports after each visit, often including photos or videos to help document the property's condition.

Key Features of Home Watch:

• Periodic checks by trained professionals

• Documentation of property condition

• Focus on spotting and addressing potential issues

• May fulfill insurance company requirements for unoccupied homes

• Service is tailored for seasonal or unoccupied homes

How is House Sitting Different?

House sitting involves a person staying in the home while the owner is away. The person lives in the home full-time, taking care of tasks such as collecting mail, watering plants, and even caring for pets. House sitters also provide the added benefit of ensuring the home is always occupied, which can deter potential intruders. While house sitters may take care of minor maintenance tasks, they aren't trained professionals. They mainly focus more on living in, and maintaining the daily upkeep of the home, rather than conducting thorough property checks.

Key Features of House Sitting:

• The sitter lives in the home full-time

• Focus on daily maintenance and deterrence of break-ins

• Generally not trained to handle technical home maintenance or reporting

• Often a short-term solution

What is Property Management?

Property management is a more comprehensive service, typically used for rental properties or investment properties. A property management company handles everything from tenant relations and rent collection to overseeing repairs, maintenance, and even landscaping. For property owners who rent out their homes, property managers ensure the property is taken care of, rent is paid, and any necessary repairs are promptly addressed.

Unlike Home Watch, property management often involves full-time oversight, and the manager may be responsible for both occupied and unoccupied properties. This is a robust service ideal for landlords but is not always necessary for seasonal homeowners.

Key features of Property Management:

• Full-time management of rental or investment properties

• Handling tenant relations, rent collection, and lease agreements

• Responsible for scheduling repairs, maintenance, and other services

• Best suited for rental or income-generating properties

What is a Home Inspector?

A home inspection is typically a one-time service provided when buying or selling a home. Licensed home inspectors conduct a comprehensive assessment of the property's condition, evaluating the structure, electrical systems, plumbing, and more. The primary purpose of a home inspector is to identify any major issues that need to be addressed before the sale is completed.

Unlike Home Watch, home sitting or property management, home inspections are not ongoing. They are conducted to ensure the home is in good condition, often for the benefit of potential buyers or current homeowners. The inspector provides a detailed report of the home's condition but does not offer ongoing services or maintenance.

Key features of Home Inspection:

• A thorough, one-time evaluation of the property's structure and systems

• Typically conducted during the home-buying or selling process

• Licensed inspectors focus on identifying major issues

• Not an ongoing service

Choosing the Right Service for Your Needs

Each of these services - Home Watch, house sitting, property management, and home inspection - serves a different purpose.

• Homeowners with seasonal or unoccupied homes often benefit most from Home Watch, where regular checks can help catch issues early and avoid costly damage, while also meeting potential insurance requirements.

• If you're looking for someone to stay in your home while you're away, house sitting may be the right choice, particularly if you have pets or plants that need attention.

• For rental property owners, property management offers comprehensive services that handle everything from tenant relations to maintenance.

• If you are buying or selling a home and need to assess its condition, a home inspection is a necessary step to ensure there are no hidden issues.

Knowing the differences between these services can help you make the right decisions for your property and ensure it's cared for in the way that best meets your needs.

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Michael Jones, contributing author, is a Home Watch professional and Home Watch Academy graduate. His mission is to provide the seasonal homeowner confidence that their property is being periodically checked for issues that could lead to expensive repairs.