Home watch is a professional service that regularly inspects a vacant or seasonal home to catch problems early — a slow leak, an A/C failure, pests, storm damage, or an intrusion — before they become expensive disasters. If you've ever wondered exactly what home watch is, how it works, and whether it's worth the cost, this guide explains it in plain terms.
The core idea is simple: an empty house can't call for help. A pipe fitting can fail in January and quietly soak a home for weeks before anyone notices. A failed air conditioner in a humid Florida summer can grow mold across an entire interior. Home watch puts a trained, accountable person physically inside and around your home on a set schedule, documenting what they see so small issues get fixed while they're still small.
It's a distinct profession with its own standards — not pet sitting, not housekeeping, and not "a friend with a key." For Southwest Florida snowbirds and second-home owners in Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Naples, and Marco Island, it has become a standard part of responsible homeownership.
A good home watch visit is a methodical walk-through, not a quick glance. Every inspection follows the same checklist so nothing gets skipped, and each item is verified in person and documented. A thorough visit typically covers:
Walls, ceilings, and floors checked for water stains, leaks, and mold. Doors, windows, and seals verified. Signs of pests or rodent activity noted before they spread.
The single most important check in Florida. We confirm the system is running, the thermostat is set correctly, and indoor humidity is in a safe range to prevent mold and warping.
Under sinks, around water heaters, toilets, and supply lines — inspected for drips, corrosion, and active leaks. Running toilets and soft spots caught early.
Roofline, soffits, gutters, and the building envelope checked from the ground for damage, missing shingles, or debris — especially after wind and storms.
Evidence of insects, rodents, or wildlife. Doors and windows checked for forced entry, tampering, or signs that someone has been inside.
Landscaping condition, pool equipment status, mail and package buildup, irrigation, and any vendor work that needs coordinating while you're away.
Want the full version? We've published a free, detailed Florida vacant home checklist you can use yourself or use to vet any provider you're considering.
This is the question almost every owner asks first. A house sitter lives in your home; home watch keeps your home empty and secure while monitoring it. A neighbor does you a favor; home watch is a licensed, accountable service with documentation. The differences matter most on the day something goes wrong.
The real value isn't watching your home — it's the response. At Sunstate, founder Torbjörn or his team personally phones you the moment something looks wrong, then coordinates the repair. You're never left reading a bad report from 1,500 miles away with no idea what to do next.
Reporting is what separates real home watch from someone glancing through a window. After each scheduled inspection you receive a clear, timestamped record so you always know your home was checked, when, and what was found.
Dated, time-stamped photos from each visit, organized in a private online dashboard you can open from anywhere. You see exactly what your inspector saw — the A/C reading, the dry floors, the secure doors.
Reports are for normal visits. When something is wrong, you get a call from a real person who explains the problem in plain language and walks you through the options — not an automated alert you have to decipher alone.
Those timestamped reports do double duty. They give you peace of mind day to day, and they create a documented inspection history — exactly the kind of evidence that protects an insurance claim if you ever need to file one.
This is the part owners often miss. Most homeowners policies limit or void coverage once a home sits vacant for roughly 30 to 60 days, and insurers routinely deny claims for "gradual" damage or "neglect" — the slow leak, the creeping mold — when there's no proof the home was being maintained and inspected.
The numbers are sobering. Water damage restoration averages around $3,800, and Florida mold remediation commonly runs $2,000 to $10,000 or more. A documented record of regular inspections is often the difference between a covered claim and an out-of-pocket loss. In that light, home watch isn't a cost — it's the thing standing between a minor repair and a five-figure surprise.
Always confirm the specifics of your vacancy clause with your own insurer. A credible home watch provider will happily provide inspection documentation to support a claim.
Pricing depends on home size, visit frequency, and what you want included, but professional home watch is far more affordable than most people expect — and a fraction of the damage it prevents. At Sunstate, plans start at $99/month, with weekly inspections, timestamped photo reports, and a real person on call. Your first inspection is free, so you can see the service before committing.
When you weigh that against a single water or mold event — or a denied insurance claim — the math is straightforward. The right question isn't "what does home watch cost?" but "what does it cost me to go without it?"
Weekly is the standard for seasonal and snowbird homes, especially in humid Florida where A/C and humidity issues escalate quickly. Many insurers also expect regular, documented inspections to keep coverage valid on a vacant property.
No — they complement each other. An alarm reacts to break-ins. Home watch is a physical, in-person inspection that catches the things alarms can't: leaks, humidity, mold, pests, roof damage, and slow failures. Many owners use both.
A neighbor is kind, but not licensed, bonded, insured, or trained to spot early warning signs — and their casual check won't produce the documented record an insurer may require. Home watch provides accountability and proof a favor can't.
We phone you directly, explain what's wrong in plain language, and coordinate the repair with trusted local vendors. You decide what happens next; we handle the legwork so you don't have to manage it from out of state.
We serve Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Naples, and Marco Island across Southwest Florida. We're licensed, bonded, insured, and serve owners in English, Spanish, and Swedish.
See exactly what professional home watch looks like — timestamped photos, a thorough checklist, and a real person who calls when it matters. Your first inspection is free, with no obligation.
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