A "Heads Up" for Snowbirds
 

I "keep an eye on" a friend/neighbors' house while they are up North for the season. Been doing it for years. Never found a problem until today.

While going through my periodic toilet flushing routine I noted it was very hot in the house. The fan was going but producing hot air. Compressor not working. I called owner, he called A/C company, they called me, an hour later problem fixed.

Had I not discovered a problem there could have been serious mold/mildew buildup in the house.

Don't let it happen to you. Have someone check your house periodically. While they are about it, have them check your irrigation system. It only takes a few minutes and may only cost you a dinner out and save you a lot of expense and aggravation.

I plam to use a remotely controlled and accessed security system, thermostat, and survellance system to keep an eye on things. I will get a cell phone alert if the temp gets above a level, etc. Have not solved the irrigation issue yet but will in the next few weeks. That way the neighbor may only be needed to provide a key to the service person. Shall see how all this works out next summer.

have them check your irrigation system

This is a great reminder - during July we were having daily heavy and prolonged tropical rains, we turned our irrigation off and it saved us $30 for the month of July. I walk every morning and I cannot tell you how many people, who are obviously gone for the summer, have been continually watering. It's a huge waste of water and money.

We've been using the same home watch company for the past six years. We have a 20 item checklist of things to do before we leave. If we leave in a hurry, and forget to do anything, our Homewatch company takes care of it. They open the house up for us the week we arrive. Money well spent!

Who..
 

Who do you use and if you don't mind me asking what do people charge for that service, how often do they come to the house? Are the bonded ect..

$40 per month. They come once a week. Adjust blinds/curtains so it looks lived in. Clean the toilets to prevent mold etc. I can't recommend a service (not enough posts) do a search you'll find many recommendations.

Will the remote system flush the toilets and run the water? If so, what is the system you are going to use? what is the cost? You can have a bonded service at $48/month.

Home watch through technology
 

Since we would follow advice to cover toilets with plastic wrap and turn off main water and hot water heater, that part is, I think, covered. The "system" is a collection of devices available on the open market including a surveillance system (cameras inside and outside with night vision and recorder), motion detectors, moisture detectors, remote thermostat/humidistat all with battery backup and remote access. I am doing this myself (engineering background).

While I clearly see an opportunity for a business in this area with all the babyboomers retiring and many having two homes, I am retired and do not plan to start any new businesses. After running my own business for 17 years and in corporate America for another 20+, I am DONE!

Much of this is installed already and I will be working on testing and improvements through the Winter. Seems like a fun project.

we use a homewatch person and am very happy

I use charelene from the Village sitter. I couldn't ask for better service. She sends a monthly report telling when she visited and what was done. She also sends pics of anytHing questionable and has been very professional. She is insured and bonded which was important to me also.
The Village Sitter - Welcome
(352) 633-5063

Eve... first of all, a thread hijack--that is the CUTEST little dog! That picture just makes me laugh.

Back to the thread topic. You can PM Rango and learn who his home watch company is. The price sounds good.

We also use Charlene, The Village Sitter. Can not praise her enough, very thorough. We get the monthly reports e-mailed and also the pics if anything unusual, a snake or birds building a next in the gutter, that sort of thing. You will not be disappointed with The Village Sitter.

nysnowbirds, I am curious about whether or not you need to maintain internet at your home while you are gone in order to have your systems alert you while you are gone. We have a friend who has cameras and heat alarms set up in his MI home while he's in FL, but he has to have internet running to make it work.

I agree...We have been using the same home watch company and it is a piece of mind for us while we are not in The Villages....

Check with your home owners insurance...Some require the home watch people to be liceansed and bonded, mine do's...