[KRMACK55]

Originally Posted by Velvet

I like Empty Nest, the Villages Property Management. They open my home before I come. When furniture arrived they stayed while it was put in place and sent me photos of how it looked. Same with installation of appliances and I could not be there. They check the irrigation and sinks etc They will call my lawn services etc if anything needs to be looked after. It’s as if I was there myself. I had a problem with an installer and since Empty Nest was the contact while I was not there, they sorted it out for me. They are not inexpensive, about $100 a month for me, but you get what you pay for.

They are terrible and you pay crazy money because of their name. Get a referral from anyone else but stay away from them ! Unreliable inconsistent stay clear

[graciegirl]

We personally know and highly recommend the integrity of Don and Brenda Cunningham, 352.391.2564 352.272.9924

[Velvet]

Originally Posted by KRMACK55

They are terrible and you pay crazy money because of their name. Get a referral from anyone else but stay away from them ! Unreliable inconsistent stay clear

Did you read my post at all?

[Papa_lecki]

I gave the home watch a lot of thought - it comes down to trust….
Who do you trust to be in your home every week.
Any company can print up a check list, email it to you, etc - but it comes down to the gut feel of the person who will be in your house week after week.

Only you can make the price/value equation. I can find cheap and expensive home watch people;
only you can say that $100 a month is too expensive or I trust this person a lot and $35 a month is a fair price.
And like every service provider, there will be customers who had great experiences with them and customers who had terrible experiences. Up to you to do due diligence.

[thelegges]

Just make sure they are insured and bonded. If a problem arises there is a backup if damage happens. As for asking a neighbor, that would be the last thing I would do. What if they missed something that caused damage, then what. One of our neighbors had a friend check on their house, forgot to turn off the water, toilet started leaking, water damage bathroom, and closet. Plus the large water bill. Home was being checked every 2 weeks, so lots of water in 2 weeks

[Nucky]

Originally Posted by thelegges

Just make sure they are insured and bonded. If a problem arises there is a backup if damage happens. As for asking a neighbor, that would be the last thing I would do. What if they missed something that caused damage, then what. One of our neighbors had a friend check on their house, forgot to turn off the water, toilet started leaking, water damage bathroom, and closet. Plus the large water bill. Home was being checked every 2 weeks, so lots of water in 2 weeks

Doing a favor and missing something can cause the person doing the watching a problem also. No good deed goes unpunished.

I'm down to only watching one house for a neighbor because they are so nice I can't say no. I had them sign a letter that holds me harmless just in case.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by thelegges

Just make sure they are insured and bonded. If a problem arises there is a backup if damage happens. As for asking a neighbor, that would be the last thing I would do. What if they missed something that caused damage, then what. One of our neighbors had a friend check on their house, forgot to turn off the water, toilet started leaking, water damage bathroom, and closet. Plus the large water bill. Home was being checked every 2 weeks, so lots of water in 2 weeks

I would turn off the house main water valve and leave it off. Some people think they need to have someone come into their house, turn on the water, and flush the toilets on a regular basis. In my opinion, that is a bad idea. Toilet leaks are the most common reason for flooding in a house.

[graciegirl]

We personally know and highly recommend the integrity of Don and Brenda Cunningham, 352.391.2564 352.272.9924

[Papa_lecki]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I would turn off the house main water valve and leave it off. Some people think they need to have someone come into their house, turn on the water, and flush the toilets on a regular basis. In my opinion, that is a bad idea. Toilet leaks are the most common reason for flooding in a house.

I think you want to flush the toilet to keep the seal on the bottom from drying out. Once every month or two is probably adequate.

You want someone inside, in case the rain from a week ago resulted in a leak.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by thelegges

Just make sure they are insured and bonded. If a problem arises there is a backup if damage happens. As for asking a neighbor, that would be the last thing I would do. What if they missed something that caused damage, then what. One of our neighbors had a friend check on their house, forgot to turn off the water, toilet started leaking, water damage bathroom, and closet. Plus the large water bill. Home was being checked every 2 weeks, so lots of water in 2 weeks

It seems as though the neighbor's flood damage would be covered by their homeowners insurance. I doubt that any insurance that a home watch company had would be a primary payer. But, if you want the home watch company to have insurance, you need to get a letter from their insurance company stating what it covers, the limits of coverage, and the current status of the premium payments. I suspect that very few people actually require that type of proof.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki

I think you want to flush the toilet to keep the seal on the bottom from drying out. Once every month or two is probably adequate.

You want someone inside, in case the rain from a week ago resulted in a leak.

I agree with checking the house for rain leaks. But, I'm not sure what toilet seal you are referring to. The donut seal where the toilet connects to the floor will not dry out. And the internal parts inside the tank will last a lot longer than a few months without drying out. You may want to cover the tank with Saran wrap to prevent the trap from drying out and causing sewer gas to enter the house. There are a lot of vacant houses in The Villages that are for sale for many months, including new houses, and I don't think the builder or the real estate agents have someone flush all the toilets on a regular schedule. Some new houses don't even have the water turned on for months during construction.

[easydog]

Originally Posted by turnercw

Hello, we are newbies to TV and have contacted several home watch services with no luck. They are either booked or do not respond to their email/phone provided.

Do you have a good recommendation for a trustworthy company or individual to check on our home in McClure while we are away during the month of August?

Thank you so much!

You may contact me...... at edwin.wingham@gmail.com .....

[thelegges]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

It seems as though the neighbor's flood damage would be covered by their homeowners insurance. I doubt that any insurance that a home watch company had would be a primary payer. But, if you want the home watch company to have insurance, you need to get a letter from their insurance company stating what it covers, the limits of coverage, and the current status of the premium payments. I suspect that very few people actually require that type of proof.

Actually at our first house, our neighbors were Canadian, had a popular home watch, when they arrived there was water damage at their home, along with mold issues. Homeowners insurance asked for all reports from home watch. Owners paid deductible, their insurance cover the rest.

Homeowners insurance then contacted Home Watch, for restitution that was paid out. Home watch insurance paid the damage, and the homeowners had their deductible returned. Yes your insurance has the right to seek payment from a home watch, or an accident that does damage to your home, from a non homeowner.

[stebooo]

Never have used a company. Have a friend or neighbor do it. Reward them

[dshoberg]

Down Home Property Mgmt.....(352) 753-0976
Have had them for 6 years and no issues