[Accidental1]

We just bought a new home here and will be snowbirds for a few years. Do you use a home watch service while you're up North? If so, please share with me the reasons why you do? If not, reasons why you don't. Thank you!

[asianthree]

Good home watch is hard to find. Ours retired and finding a replacement is not easy. Some will tell you they are billed for weekly visits, and yet no one has entered their home for months. Cameras With remote viewing is your friend.

Yes I believe in using a good home watch. Making sure your sprinklers are running correctly, flush, and run your faucets, and shut water off. Check for bugs, before they become an infestation. Check outside for window issues, or possible storm damage.

[Fredman]

Sent u a private message

[Garywt]

We are actually snowflakes. We do not use any home watch. We have friends that have a key and check on things plus neighbors on each side will text us if they see any issues. All has been fine for 2 years.

[Malsua]

We go back and forth all year.

I have a wifi thermostat. A flume to monitor the water meter. A wifi irrigation controller, a nest hello doorbell cam, a wifi garage door opener, a digital deadbolt and security cams.

I know what's going on at our villa when we are not there.

Higher initial cost, zero on-going costs. I also have family nearby that can pop in if it comes to it.

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

Before Covid I used to be gone about 6 months a year , I’ve never used a home watch ,I’ve usually asked someone to look in once a week , that seems to work for me , I’ve had a combined 14. homes and condos never used a home watch if something went wrong you call somebody, the lovely woman next door from me passed away in September , for the family I go over once a week and check the place very simple, I’m also not concerned with having workmen in my home when I’m not there because I keep nothing personal there and the only time my homes are locked is when I’m away , I never lock house when I’m here

[b0bd0herty]

The Villages provides a home watch service where their drivers check your house twice a week. The outside is check for all doors secure and anything that is not normal. Believe the cost is under $8 dollars a month. You'd have to contact their customer service to check. Went to the website Village Community Development Districts and the number is (352) 753-4508.

[kendi]

Originally Posted by Garywt

We are actually snowflakes. We do not use any home watch. We have friends that have a key and check on things plus neighbors on each side will text us if they see any issues. All has been fine for 2 years.

“Snowflakes”?

[Girlcopper]

[QUOTE=charlieo1126@gmail.com;1898163]Before Covid I used to be gone about 6 months a year , I’ve never used a home watch ,I’ve usually asked someone to look in once a week , that seems to work for me , I’ve had a combined 14. homes and condos never used a home watch if something went wrong you call somebody, the lovely woman next door from me passed away in September , for the family I go over once a week and check the place very simple, I’m also not concerned with having workmen in my home when I’m not there because I keep nothing personal there and the only time my homes are locked is when I’m away , I never lock house when I’m here[/QUOTE
Id love to know what development you live in that you feel so safe and leave your house unlocked. Burglary just waiting to happen

[a002710]

Check with your insurance. I’ve heard that they can refuse to fix things if the house is left unattended. Always turn water off before leaving and most of your possible problems disappear. I used to watch houses for people and always took current days paper and took a picture of the date showing someplace inside, that was the proof that i was there and did the inspection. On my watch of houses I’ve discovered heating systems that have failed, insect infestations, roof leaks etc..... Better to be safe than sorry. Cost is
Minimal. I charged $10-15/mo depending on what I did. Some I sprayed for weeds. Some I drove the cars and golf carts per instructions of owner. I even shut houses down and then reopened them for my clients. Ask around, find a neighbor that has someone they trust and hire that person. Good luck and welcome to the villages.

[B-flat]

Cameras and a remote thermostat work well. We also had a couple who were our neighbors check on the house too, when they were away we did the same for them.

[MandoMan]

[QUOTE=Girlcopper;1898468]

Originally Posted by charlieo1126@gmail.com

Before Covid I used to be gone about 6 months a year , I’ve never used a home watch ,I’ve usually asked someone to look in once a week , that seems to work for me , I’ve had a combined 14. homes and condos never used a home watch if something went wrong you call somebody, the lovely woman next door from me passed away in September , for the family I go over once a week and check the place very simple, I’m also not concerned with having workmen in my home when I’m not there because I keep nothing personal there and the only time my homes are locked is when I’m away , I never lock house when I’m here[/QUOTE
Id love to know what development you live in that you feel so safe and leave your house unlocked. Burglary just waiting to happen

Anywhere in The Villages is very safe indeed. I’ve been reading the daily online crime sheet for a year and don’t recall seeing any home burglaries at all. Several cars were broken into about a year ago, but the guy was caught and arrested. I recall reading about one car stolen out of a garage. That’s all I remember. In a year! Our guards and neighborhood watch do a great job. I’d say this is not only America’s Friendliest Home Town but America’s Safest Home Town. Now, if I lived in Wildwood or Leesburg or Ocala I would be much more concerned. Anywhere outside The Villages I would be much more concerned. There is occasional shoplifting at the various WalMarts and convenience stores and the occasional purse or wallet stolen from a car in a grocery store parking lot, but those are public areas on the outskirts. I’m talking about residential areas. I think the biggest crime to watch out for is scams of various sorts taking advantage of us, whether door to door or by phone or computer. There are also some companies that do poor jobs of fixing problems. In general, they are doing great work, though.

[msilagy]

I don't use a home watch service instead I 1) have a humidistat and set it at 60% so that it keeps the humidity under that amount with the A/C running only when needed to do so. 2) put Saran Wrap over the toilet bowls so water doesn't evaporate. 3) hook up car and golf cart to a tender plus battery charger 4) shut all blinds/drapes. 5) I also have a Marcell device that monitors humidity for the months I'm gone and will text, email, and call me if it goes ver 60% which could mean the A/C isn't working, unplug unnecessary electric devices. Shut the door and walk in 5-6 months later just like I was there an hour before.

[Footer]

We use Dean Corbett, 352-551-0576. $10/week. He has quite a few clients. He was referred to us by friends 3 years ago.

[jabacon6669]

My wife and I just moved here in December, keeping our home in Maine. We have relatives in the area to check the house if need be. But we monitor it with two Ring cameras, and a Nest thermostat, which is connected to, two satellite thermostat, one in our basement and one in a back hall bath. The main nest is in our living room and we keep it at 50 degrees. We also have a nest camera in the basement. We shut the well pump off, just in case. But the temp in the hose in any part never drops below 48-49 degrees. We do not subscribe to any service.