Frequently Asked Questions

A Home Watch service provides reassurance and security when you're not at your property. The official definition states, Home Watch is "A visual inspection of a home or property, looking for obvious issues." This means trained professionals regularly examine your residence to identify any developing problems. Service providers typically create a customized inspection checklist tailored to your specific requirements and priorities. Should any issues be discovered during these visits, you will be notified so the matter can be dealt with in a cost effective and expedient fashion.

Home Watch services are ideal for a wide range of situations, including:

• Homeowners wondering who will keep an eye on their property while they’re away

• Western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina residents who travel and leave their primary or secondary residence vacant and need someone to keep an eye on things

• Snowbirds

• Individuals who must leave town unexpectedly due to a family or personal emergency

• Homeowners whose careers, military service, or deployments require frequent time away

• Sellers with vacant homes currently listed on the market

• Professional athletes who relocate during the off-season

• Seniors who remain at home but are no longer able to manage regular property upkeep, as well as those who leave suddenly because of health-related emergencies

• Adult children of seniors who live outside the region area and need a trusted local representative

• Financial institutions managing portfolios of unoccupied or foreclosed properties

• Real estate professionals responsible for vacant listings

• Owners of short-term rental properties during off-season periods or extended vacancies

• Commercial property owners with unused or vacant buildings

• Members of the Foreign Service who prefer not to rent out their homes while stationed elsewhere

Studies from the Insurance Institute show that vacant homes face a significantly higher risk of problems, including:

• Vandalism or unauthorized entry/break-ins

• Water leaks that go unnoticed and cause extensive, costly damage

• HVAC failures that can lead to frozen or burst pipes and potential subsequent mold growth

• Water leaks that go unnoticed and cause extensive, costly damage

• Blocked gutters or roof issues that may result in serious interior damage

• Pest infestations, as insects and rodents can quickly take over an empty home

• Illegal occupancy or squatting

While Providentia Home Watch cannot prevent issues from occurring, early detection can greatly limit the severity of the issue. Acting as your local partner we identify concerns before they escalate—helping turn potential disasters into manageable situations.

House sitting and property watch are both services that help look after properties when owners are away, but they differ significantly in scope and commitment:

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House Sitting:

• Someone actually lives and sleeps in your home while you're gone

• Typically involves longer stays (weeks to months)

• The sitter handles daily tasks like collecting mail, watering plants, maintaining the home's "lived-in" appearance, and often caring for pets

• More personal relationship required since someone is living in your private space

Property Watch:

• Periodic check-ins rather than continuous presence (might be daily, weekly, or as needed)

• Scheduled visits to inspect the property

• Focuses on specific tasks: checking for issues like leaks, break-ins, weather damage, ensuring systems are working

• Less intrusive since no one is actually living there

No, Providentia Properties does not handle rental management for short term vacation rentals. Instead we partner with local rental property managers and refer business to our trusted partners.

While you may have trusted neighbors or family members nearby, they typically lack professional home watch training. There's a significant difference between checking on a home and conducting thorough, systematic inspections on a routine scheduled basis. Neighbors or friends might not be available for consistent visits or equipped to provide detailed checklists and comprehensive walk-through reports. Additionally, if an issue arises while they're responsible for your property, it could strain those personal relationships. By entrusting your home to Providentia's Home Watch professionals, you gain peace of mind knowing you are in trusted hands of insured and bonded professionals.

Our Home Watch professionals hold NHWA accreditation, which signifies that we've been thoroughly vetted by the National Home Watch Association. This accreditation confirms we maintain appropriate insurance and bonding coverage, have a clean complaint record, and provide accurate information on our website. Furthermore, all company principals must pass a criminal background check and must agree to follow the Mission Statement and uphold the Code of Ethics of the NHWA.

No. We do require that you sign an agreement to document that we have proper authorization to enter your home for the agreed upon visits, however you can cancel at any time and will only be charged for the services incurred up to the point of canceling.

Absolutely! Simply use this link to find Providentia Properties on Thumbtack

No, Home Watch is not a security service. Providentia Home Watch serves as a set of eyes and ears via routine visits (as mutually agreed upon) to your home. During our visits we visually assess the condition of your property and support you by detecting any issues that may arise early.