If you have a property that is vacant or unoccupied for an extended period of time, you need someone to take care of it. There are four major groups of homes that would fall into this category:
- Snowbird homes that are seasonally unoccupied
- Properties For Sale
- Inherited homes or home in probate
- Houses where the owner has moved to an assisted living facility or nursing home.
In each of these cases, a valuable asset is sitting without care. Leaks, bugs, mold, mildew, sewer gas, and other disastrous consequences can cost you thousands of dollars and eat away at the value of the property. Many owners realize there is only one answer- getting someone to watch the house. Unfortunately, many of those seeking competent, professional services will confuse the two most commonly used phrases: home watch and house sitter.
A house sitter has evolved to mean someone who stays in the house in your absence. They are not really watching anything, they are merely living in the property much the same as you would. They come and go just as you would. They may or may not run appliances, check for leaks, change filters, and other tasks you would do as part of routine home maintenance. Many house sitters do not own their own homes and are ill-suited to do anything other than give your home a 'lived-in' appearance. If all you want is someone in residence, this may be your option. But you may forfeit your rights to occupy the property in this arrangement since you sign a contract for a period of time. There are several services that offer pairing between house and sitters, but keep in mind you are giving your precious home and valuables to a stranger for long periods of time. The choice is yours.
A home watch service, on the other hand, is a business that assumes responsibility for the health and welfare of an empty property in your absence. This business does not arrange for people to live in the house, which means you can come and go as you please. Most property owners do not want strangers in their unoccupied home, and a house watch service caters to this requirement. They are licensed and insured for this trade, and have the tools and experience to identify and mitigate problems before they become a huge issue. You are far away, but their local knowledge and communication will give you peace of mind that there is someone on scene whose sole purpose is to monitor all the systems and the general condition of the house. Using extensive checklists, they spend their time on-site looking for possible trouble before it happens. Their focus is entirely on the property and your peace of mind, quite different from a house sitter.
No matter which choice fits your needs, make sure you understand the difference. If you want someone to live in your property while you are gone, you are looking for a house sitter. If, on the other hand, you prefer the home to remain unoccupied except when you want to use it, but want a professional to monitor the structure, grounds, and all the supporting systems, you want a home watch service.
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