What Does a Home Watch Visit Include in Naples?

When you hire a home watch provider, you are paying for someone to walk through your Naples home while you are away and tell you what they find. That sounds simple, but the quality of the visit depends on a consistent routine and on a provider who knows what to look for in southwest Florida homes. This guide describes what a thorough visit usually covers, what a visit does not cover, and how to read the report you receive afterward.

Home watch is a visual check. It is not a home inspection, a security monitoring service or property management. A good provider will say so plainly and will tell you what they can and cannot do. Calling the number on this page connects you with an independent local provider who can explain exactly what their visits include.

Arrival and exterior check

A visit usually starts outside. The provider looks at the front door, garage, lanai doors and windows for signs of forced entry, damage or anything that has been left open. They look at the roof line and gutters where they can see them from the ground, check for fallen branches or debris, and note anything that looks different since the last visit.

The exterior check also covers things that affect curb appearance and your insurance position: packages on the doorstep, flyers or notices stuck to the door, and any sign that someone has been on the property. In an HOA community, a provider may also notice violation notices or landscaping problems and pass that information along.

Interior walk-through

Inside, the provider walks every room in the same order each time so that nothing gets skipped. They are looking for the things that go wrong in an empty home: stale or musty smells, water stains on ceilings or walls, pests, dead insects that suggest a problem, and signs that anything has moved or been disturbed.

They check that doors and windows are secured, that blinds are set the way you want, and that there is nothing unusual in the refrigerator or freezer such as a power outage that has spoiled food. If you have asked for lights or blinds to be adjusted so the home looks lived in, that is done during the walk-through as well.

Water and leak checks

Water is the most common cause of serious damage in an unoccupied home. A typical visit includes looking under sinks, around toilets and water heaters, near the washing machine hookups, and along walls and ceilings where leaks tend to show up. Many providers will run water briefly at faucets and flush toilets to keep traps from drying out, which helps block sewer odors and keeps seals working.

If your home has a water shutoff, ask whether the provider will check that it is in the position you want. Leaving the main off while you are away is a decision for the homeowner, and some insurance policies have specific expectations. Your provider can note what is set when they arrive and when they leave.

AC, humidity and mold

In Naples, the air conditioner is the system that most affects the condition of a closed-up home. A visit includes confirming the AC is running, that the thermostat is set where you asked, and that the air handler and vents are not showing signs of trouble. Condensation, a musty smell or a warm house are all reasons to call you.

Many providers also look at indoor humidity, either by feel or with a simple gauge. Closets, bathrooms and areas near exterior walls are checked for early signs of mildew. Catching that early is far less expensive than discovering it after a summer away. Our guide on AC settings and humidity explains what to look for in more detail.

Pool, lanai and outdoor areas

If your visit includes the pool and lanai, the provider looks at the screens for tears, the condition of the pool water, whether pumps and equipment are running, and whether pool furniture is secured. Home watch providers generally do not perform pool service or chemical balancing unless they say so, so confirm who handles that and how the two will coordinate.

Irrigation timers, outdoor lights and gates are also worth including. A broken sprinkler head can waste a lot of water over a week, and a light that is out can be a security concern.

The report you should receive

After each visit, you should hear what was found. Many providers send a short written report, often with photos. A useful report lists the date and time, what was checked, what was normal, and anything that needs your attention. Photos of any problem help you decide quickly whether to call a plumber, an AC company or your insurance agent.

If something urgent is found, such as active water, a failed AC or a broken door, you should be told right away by phone or text instead of waiting for the regular report. Ask the provider how they handle that and who they will call for emergency repairs if you cannot be reached.

What a home watch visit does not include

It helps to be clear about the limits. Home watch does not include a licensed home inspection, structural evaluation, mold testing or repairs. It is not an alarm monitoring service and will not stop a break-in. Providers are not property managers and do not collect rent, manage tenants or handle a vacation rental.

If you want any of those things, ask for them separately and expect them to be priced and insured differently. Most providers carry insurance for the work they do, and you should ask for proof.

Garage, storage areas and utility rooms

Garages and utility closets are easy to overlook, but they are where water heaters, air handlers, electrical panels and washers often live. A thorough visit includes a look at these areas for drips, rust, standing water, pests and unusual noises. The provider should also confirm that the garage door is closed and locked and that nothing has been left open or disturbed.

If you store boats, golf carts, bicycles or seasonal items in the garage, tell your provider what is there and what you want checked. Some owners ask for batteries to be kept on a charger or for a golf cart to be moved periodically. Those are reasonable requests, but they should be agreed in advance and written down.

Mail, packages and signs of activity

An empty home advertises that it is empty. Flyers on the door, newspapers in the driveway and packages on the porch tell a passerby that no one is home. A home watch visit usually includes collecting anything visible at the entry and, if you ask, bringing in mail or forwarding it to you. Many owners also have a provider adjust blinds, switch lights and move the car in the driveway so the home looks lived in.

Providers also note signs of activity that should not be there: an unfamiliar vehicle, a neighbor mentioning someone at the property, or evidence that a contractor or vendor has been inside without notice. Those details are useful to you, your HOA and your insurer.

How to prepare for the first visit

The first visit goes better when the provider has what they need. Leave a short written sheet with the thermostat setting, the location of the water shutoff and breaker panel, alarm codes, gate or building access instructions, pool company details, pet or plant instructions and who to call if something goes wrong. Include the amount you are willing to authorize for urgent repairs without calling you first.

Agree on how you want to hear about problems. A text with photos is quick, a phone call is better for urgent items, and a written report suits the routine findings. Clear communication from the beginning makes every later visit more useful.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a typical home watch visit take?

It depends on the size of the home and what is included, but a standard interior and exterior walk-through commonly takes from half an hour to an hour or more for larger homes with pools and lanais.

Will I get photos?

Many providers send photos with their reports, especially when something needs attention. Ask whether photos are standard or an add-on.

Can the provider let in contractors or deliveries?

Often yes, as an extra. Ask how access is arranged and how the provider records who entered the home.

Is a home watch visit a home inspection?

No. It is a visual check by a home watch provider and does not replace a licensed home inspection.

Related reading

• How much does home watch cost?
• Home watch vs property management vs house sitter
• AC, humidity and mold checks

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Information here is general and is not legal, insurance or engineering advice. Serving Naples and Collier County, Florida. Calls may be recorded.