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Save Money Using Professional "Homewatch" Services

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Contributed by: tom gabor on 3/1/2008

Professional "Homewatch" Services Can Produce Major Savings for Homeowners

By Christene and Tom Gabor, Owners
TopNotch HomeWatch, LLC

A Canadian couple we know, with a condo in Ft. Lauderdale, did not come to Florida last year and left their property unattended. When a family member visited, she discovered that the condo was ridden with mold. They would like to sell but their realtor says that the property cannot be sold without very costly repairs.

Your home is often your most valuable financial asset and failing to have it cared for by professionals, while you are away, can be disastrous. Horror stories we have heard include:

• While the owner was away, an armadillo dug under a home's concrete foundation. The cost for landscaping and ensuring that there were no cracks in the foundation was significant.

• A neighbor returned to discover she had an infestation of ants.

• A seasonal resident received unusually high electricity bills while she was up north. When she came down for the winter, the home was like a freezer, due to a defective thermostat. A home that is too cold or humid can produce destructive mold that can also be a health hazard.

Relatively minor problems, such as a small leak or power outage, may create a major mold or insect problem within a few days. An ounce of prevention, in the form of professional care of your home when you are away, may save thousands of dollars in repairs and avoid higher insurance premiums. In addition, should a problem arise while you are away, insurance claims will likely be more successful where home visits have been recorded by a professional "homewatch" company.

With a professional service, you have a service agreement that requires the homewatch company to carry out the tasks outlined in the agreement. By contrast, friends and neighbors sometimes fail to show up or may do a very superficial job of looking after your home. Without a contract, friends are not liable for problems resulting from their negligence.

Professional home monitoring involves a careful walk through your home and around your property. You should be alerted promptly of any concerns or maintenance (e.g., the pool or lawn) that is not being properly done.

Finally, a professional "homewatch" company will act promptly to correct a problem, by bringing in other professionals (an exterminator, handyman, etc.), as needed, to spare you the inconvenience and expense of returning home early to fix the problem yourself.

Typically, companies charge about $15-$20 per visit. We have used such a service ourselves for many years and wouldn't leave home without ensuring that our greatest investment is being cared for by a professional.

We would be pleased to answer your questions on "homewatch" services. Please contact us at: christene@topnotchhomewatch.com

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