Home Watch Services
Home Watch
An unoccupied home or property does not remain in a constant, unchanged state indefinitely. Numerous factors can lead to the deterioration of a structure or property, such as storm damage, leaks, or insect infestation. It is not a matter of if, but when, one or more of these factors will surface. The benefit of utilizing Home Watch of Texas is to provide periodic monitoring that can minimize the negative effects they can have on your valuable assets.
We offer standard home watch services for clients on a on a minimum bi-weekly basis, customizable per your frequency requirements. We also offer short term vacation or on demand services. The home watch visits follow extensive interior and exterior visual audits, utilizing standard checklists that are modified per individual client needs.
For our inspection and reporting we use QRIDIT specific software for our industry that provides a GPS date and time stamped report when we are at your property. This inspection report can be used as evidence to insurance companies that your property is being monitored and not vacant.
Concierge Service
As part of our home watch services, we provide certain concierge services such as stocking your home with groceries before you come home or checking water levels in golf cart batteries or even starting and driving your cars to keep batteries charged and avoid flat spots on your tires. Whatever you need, within reason, we can make sure it gets done. This service is only available to our home watch clients.
Key Holder Service
Another of our home watch services is to be a key holder and contact for when you, the homeowner, would like others to have access to your home. This is a safe and secure way to allow contractors or cleaning services to perform their tasks without having security codes or keys. We can also respond to a triggered alarm scenario (we will only respond after the police have secured the property). We will then make sure all doors and windows are secured and locked and reset the alarm. This service is only available to our home watch clients.
Realtor Asset Service
Home Watch of Texas can be a major asset to the agent. We understand that buyers worry about leaving their homes unoccupied after purchase. By working directly with homeowners, Home Watch of Texas takes on responsibilities that agents might have handled before and after a sale. Home Watch of Texas acts as the eyes and ears for everyone involved. We regularly visit foreclosures, short sales, and vacant properties. By maintaining a presence at your property, we can prevent many problems like vandalism, squatters, leaks, mold, and insect infestations. Our goal is to provide everyone concerned with peace of mind, knowing that the home is in good hands. Our trained team identifies potential issues early, helping to protect your investment. We also offer customized services to meet your specific needs, whether it’s a quick check or a thorough inspection. Trust Home Watch of Texas to ease your and your buyer’s or seller’s mind when the home is unoccupied, so you can focus on what matters most. See more details>
Security of Your Information
Home Watch of Texas is committed to protecting your confidential information. We use state-of-the-art technology to achieve this level of security. All Keys, gate codes and alarm codes are physically and digitally separate. Keys are numerically coded and never associated with a name or address. We use QR code technology. We issue a QR ID card that can only be accessed by our bonded reporter and his assigned tablet when he or she is physically within 500 feet of your home. It is called GPS Geo Fencing. Alarm codes are NOT on the printed QR ID card.
When our reporter is at your front door, he must scan the QR ID card and only then will he have access, on his tablet, to the alarm codes necessary to enter your home. A report of what we observe, inside and outside of your home, is generated while still at your house and sent directly to you via a secure portal that only you have access to.
Within your portal you will find a “dashboard” where you can access current and past reports and securely communicate with us without using email. We send an email to you only to notify you that a new report is in your portal. Our report includes GPS proof of location and is date and time stamped.
Sample Home Watch Checklist Items
Note: Each home is different and each checklist is custom to that home.
Interior Of Home
- Ensure security system is functioning.
- Check fire/smoke/CO2 alarms.
- Check temperature/humidity.
- Check for vandalism.
- Look for obvious insect/pest infestation.
- Check for water leaks.
- Run water in sinks and baths, check for leaks under sinks.
- Flush stagnant water in toilets.
- Check appliances.
- Check that windows and doors are locked.
- Check that all lights and fans are working properly.
- Check the breaker box to look for flipped breakers that should be on.
- Check the water heater and water system.
- Change timers on lights when there is a time change.
- Confirm air conditioning and furnace are functioning properly.
Exterior Of Home
- Remove junk mail slash Flyers from mailbox and driveway.
- Observe yard and monitor landscaping.
- Perform visual checks of siding and gutters for obvious issues.
- Check for drainage issues.
- Check doors and windows for security.
- Check for vandalism.
- Look for obvious insect/pest infestation.
- Check pool/spa for obvious issues.
Home Watch of Texas is not:
- Is not a Security Service nor an alarm company. We do, however, add a level of security to the property because there is a person in the home on a scheduled basis.
- Is not a home sitter company. We do not provide someone to live in your home while you are away.
- Is not a home inspector. We are not trained nor licensed home inspectors.
- Is not a property management company. We do not deal with tenants or collect monies.
Service Contract and Payments
A signed service agreement is a requirement for our services. Our services, other than home watch, are available to homeowners for an additional fee for each service. Our pricing is based upon your home size and other factors. Our additional services are billed at an hourly rate and an additional fee may apply when outside of normal business hours. Clients may prepay for home watch service and receive a discount of 5%. Clients may also pay directly from their portal by clicking on the “pay now” button.
National Home Watch Association Best Practices
As an Accredited member of the National Home Watch Association, we have access to the knowledge and experience of hundreds of our fellow members. This allows the NHWA to exchange information and develop regional best practices for home watch services. We develop a customized home watch checklist specific to your home and your expectations when we perform our checks.