Home Watch Service

St. Simons Island Property Management provides home watch services to property owners on St. Simons Island, GA and Sea Island, GA, exclusively.

A home watch is a visual inspection of property looking for obvious issues. It includes an exterior walk-around, and an interior walk-through. We use a checklist, take appropriate photos to document our findings, and submit a written report following each visit to your property.

Insurance companies like to see a professional property management company conduct inspections on vacant property at least every two-weeks. Any longer, and if damage is occurring, the extent of the damage could be devastating. Weekly home watch visits are recommended, however, most of our clients choose every two weeks for the duration of their absence.

A home watch is a visual inspection of property looking for obvious issues. It includes an exterior walk-around, and an interior walk-through.

If you own a seasonal home, condo, vacation rental, or are simply going on an extended vacation, you can count on Island Property Management to monitor the health, safety, security & management of your property while you're away. Our boots on the ground visual inspections, in addition to any technology you may use, ensure issues that arise are able to be mitigated in your absence. Continue reading to see our Checklist, Pricing, Billing, and to Sign-up for Home Watch Service.

Checklist

Our Home Watch Service Visits Include the following items as needed:

EXTERIOR:

Check mailbox; driveway, and front door for mail, papers, packages, door hangers.
Forward first class mail when requested.
Check sidewalk, curbs, and mailbox area for damage.
Check that all doors, windows and screens are properly secure to minimize chance of break-ins.
Check for evidence of water leaks or damage and check for visual signs of mold and mildew.
Check for signs of insects and rodents.
Check outdoor showers, faucets, and electrical outlet covers.
Check roof, chimney, gutters, and downspouts (from the ground)
Check for trash or recycle bins at the curb.
Check lanai, patio, and lawn ornaments.
Check and ensure garage door is closed and secure.
Check for heat sources and fire loading in proximity to structure.
Check security cameras for power.
Check doorbell for power.
Check front porch for debris. Sweep as needed.
Check for post storm damage if during a scheduled Home Watch. Separate trips count as a Visit.
Check exterior for pre-storm readiness if during a scheduled Home Watch. Separate trips count as a Visit..

LANDSCAPE:

Check exterior lighting and fans.
Check lawn for weeds, brown, or dead spots, and proper drainage.
Check pruning of bushes and trees.
Check flower beds for sufficient mulch.
Check pool/spa area.
Check and ensure covers for irrigation, propane, and water are intact.
Check for heat sources and fire loading in proximity to structure.

INTERIOR:

Renter check-in or check-out walkthrough before or after rental periods if during a scheduled Home Watch Visit. Separate trips count as a Visit.
Open and prep home for owner or guest arrivals if during a scheduled Home Watch Visit. Separate trips count as a Visit.
Check and close home after owner or guests depart if during a scheduled Home Watch Visit. Separate trips count as a Visit.
Respond to Security Alarm notifications if added as a point of contact with your security alarm company if during a scheduled Home Watch Visit. Separate trips count as a Visit. Alarm Response Service requires a $50/yr retainer fee and must be set up before service is provided.
Give access to vendors, service providers, repair, delivery, installation services, guests if during a scheduled Home Watch visit. Separate trips count as a Visit.
Wait for service providers, repair, delivery, installation services, etc. Extended stays are billed at $25/hr.
Check and ensure security system is functioning.
Check and ensure exterior doors and windows are locked and secure.
Check lights on timers are set according to property owner.
Check all lights are working.
Check for mold, mildew, and unusual odors.
Check and replace light bulbs as needed (if single story, bulbs and ladder available)
Cycle dishwasher & washing machine monthly.
Check appliances for power.
Check and dispose of food and items that are expired in refrigerator.
Check and ensure ice-maker is emptied and turned off.
Check that A/C is cooling and reset thermostat and humidistat settings if needed.
Run faucets, sink disposals, and flush toilets.
Clean toilets as needed (if water is on and cleaning supplies are provided by owner).
Check that main water valve is turned off after each inspection (unless otherwise requested by client).
Check electric panel for tripped breakers and make sure electric water heater breaker is turned off.
Check for signs of insects and rodents.
Check for heat sources and fire loading in proximity.
Check fire, smoke, CO2 detectors for power and/or low battery.
Replace batteries if available. Single story only. Ladder must be available.
Accept grocery deliveries at the property and stock shelves if during normally scheduled visit.

GARAGE:

Check and ensure garage door opener and lights are working.
Check breaker box for tripped breakers.
Check for insect, rodent and water intrusion.
Check power to trickle charger(s) if set up and in use.
Check vehicle battery trickle charger set up or removal when requested.
Check and start vehicle to reposition and avoid dead battery and flat spots on tires if requested.
Check for fire loading in proximity to heat sources.
Check for mold, mildew, and unusual odors.
Check irrigation timer has power. Adjust per property owner request.
Check HVAC filter(s), and HVAC pan for water. Replace filter every 3-month, if available.
Check and add 1/4 cup of vinegar to air handler drain pipe once per month, if available.
Check and ensure garage door, and any windows are shut and secure.
Check water heater setting, rust at bottom, water in pan.
Check water purification system for power.
Check water softener for salt level. Fill as needed if salt is available.

ATTIC:

Check for insect, rodent, and water intrusion if pull-down attic ladder is available.
Check for heat sources and fire loading in proximity.

REPORTS:

Home Watch inspection report completed during each home watch inspection.
Upload up to twelve (12) photos as needed to document issues that are found.
Immediate reporting to Client of any abnormalities found.
Reports emailed after each Home Watch inspection.
Client account and login to firstcoasthomesentry.com provided for access to reports.
Email notification when reports and photos are ready to view in Client online account.
Account gives Client access to preferred vendors.

Pricing

Our Home Watch Service Fees are based on the total square footage of your property. When you sign-up, you'll have an opportunity to select the frequency and number of visits (start date and end date) when you request service. Most clients select a visit frequency of every 14 days from the Home Watch start date until the Home Watch end date. (Example: e.g., Home Watch Service for a 2,250 sq. ft. home with a visit frequency of every 14 days would be $60 per visit).

The average time we spend on a home watch visit is 90-minutes, not including driving time. Our goal is quality, and reliability.

SQ FOOTAGE	VISIT FREQUENCY	PER VISIT FEE
<1,000	Per Visit	$40
1,000-2,000	Per Visit	$50
2,001-3,000	Per Visit	$60
3,001-4,000	Per Visit	$70
4,001-5,000	Per Visit	$80
5,001-6,000	Per Visit	$100

Billing

Invoices are sent monthly via email to the primary email address on file when Home Watch services have been provided. If no services have been provided, you will not receive an invoice. If we do fewer, or more visits at your request, we will adjust invoices to match the services we actually provided.

Pre-Registering is free and allows us to establish your account on our site, conduct a free in-home consultation, customize a checklist to be used during our regularly scheduled visits, and get to know us. You will then be ready to use our service with confidence and receive priority service requests. If you'd like to pre-register, visit our Sign-up page and check the Pre-Register box.

Signup and establish start and end dates of service and we set up a schedule based on the visit frequency you selected during the request service process. You are not locked in to start dates or end dates of an active Home Watch. We do not charge for changes or cancelations. After all, we're here to serve you as a neighbor.