[Barefoot]

I saw a post with someone referring to an Empty Nest Service. I am from Canada, and just bought a house (haven't seen it yet), which we will only use November to April. I have hired someone to mow the lawn and a separate pest control service. Is there something else I should be doing?

[Villages Kahuna]

Whether you hire someone to visit your house periodically is pretty much up to you. The "Empty Nest Service" is a part of TV Property Management Division. Their inspectors have a prescribed checklist (walk the property, outside inspection, flush the toilets, run the dishwasher, crank up the AC to dry the place out, etc.) and visit every 10 days or so. They then provide you with a written report of their findings monthly. If anything needs to be addressed, they call the appropriate service provider you give them to order service. Or they may contact you directly with a recommendation. (Last year they called me to suggest they hire someone to wash the "love bugs" off my house, they had gotten so bad.)

The Empty Nest service is pricey--I think they're up to about $22.50 a visit. There are dozens of other reliable and experienced people in TV that will perform essentially the same service for less. This year I hired a fellow with 30 years experience as a house inspector for only $10 a visit.

But, like I said, hiring someone to look in on your house is a purely personal decision.

[Becky]

I checked into the Empty Nest program since I will only be using my home a few times a year. They give you a 2 page form that tells you exactly what you have to have in your home to be in the program. Ex- Spare bedroom must not have twin beds. Everything is written down to how many spoons and whatknots in the kitchen. Even said 30 hangers! I chose not to join as I bought a new home and didn't want anyone else to live there. You also can not use your own place the months of Jan, Feb, and April, as those are the highest rental months. Since I am not in the program I can furnish my home how I want and when I want. No dining room suite yet but do have breakfast nook set! To be in the program I would have had to have it completely done. Hope this helps!

Becky

[golfnut]

BEcky, sounds like you're referring to the rental program, not empty nest. Kahuna gave a good account of what empty nest is.

[Becky]

You're right! Sorry! Empty nest was $100 per month they said.

Becky

[rballruss]

When we had our home built 5 years ago (you could do that then) we were not ready to move down, so we utilized the empty nest program. It was pricey, but the peace of mind was worth it for our investment. It took us about 3.5 years before we could move down full-time. During the time we were using the service, we were able to keep on top of our pool cleaning, landscaping, and any interior issues. Yes, pricey (and you can no doubt go cheaper) but either way, worth every penny in my opinion.

[mherzberg]

The Empty Nest program is only $3.25 per day for both snowbirds and the occasional vacation absence - with an initial start-up fee of about $50.00. I couldn't believe how affordable it was!!

[2BNTV]

Post is seven years old. There are many "home watch" people, that one can utilize.