FAQ

Why choose us?

• Dennis & J.D. have a combined total of 65 years experience in real estate in all its forms, including real estate transactions in both residential and commercial, property management, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac certified inspections on large retail & apartment complexes.
• In addition to a visual inspection, we use thermal imaging camera to detect potential problems before they become real problems such as water leaks, faulty wiring or rodent infestation.
• We are Accredited Members of the National Home Watch Association.
• We are registered, bonded and insured.
• We care about our communities and the residents who live there.

What happens when you visit my house?

We start by doing an exterior inspection looking for any roof or other problems such as landscaping issues, broken windows, evidence of an attempted break in or storm damage.  Next, we do an interior inspection looking for obvious issues such as leaking water fixtures or pipes, electrical issues, AC is functioning properly, evidence of bugs, pests or evidence of termites and wet or stained ceilings.

What could happen at my house while I’m gone?

• Water leak
• Monsoon damage
• AC stops working
• AC condensation leak
• Irrigation/landscaping issue
• Broken windows
• Break in
• Roof leaks
• Running toilet
• Smoke alarms stop working
• Security system false alarms
• Pests/Rodents/Termites
• Green pool
• And many other issues…

How often will you check on my house?

We offer weekly, bi-weekly & one time visit services. That said, we believe strongly in weekly visits as emergencies happen at all times.

The other consideration on frequency is your insurance coverage. Some insurance companies require someone to inspect an unoccupied home once or twice a month.

We are happy to discuss your situation and an ideal schedule for your property.

Why not have a neighbor watch my home?

At first, a neighbor seems like an easy solution. I’m sure your neighbor has the best intentions, but they may not know all of the potential issues to look for. In most cases, neighbors will pick up the mail and newspaper, maybe take a quick look inside the home, and then watch the home from across the street.

The other issue can be consistency. Yes they’re good about checking on your house right after you leave town, but life gets busy and this week’s visit may get delayed a day or two, which can turn into an even longer gap between visits. Another concern is when your neighbor leaves town, who will watch your home then?

Who conducts the home watch inspections?

Your home watch inspections will be performed by the Phoenix Second Home Watch owners, Dennis or J.D. In the event that we are not available, as we occasionally do take time off, we will arrange for appropriate & suitable replacement inspectors.

Are you insured?

We are insured & bonded and are happy to provide details of our coverage with you.

Are you licensed?

Currently, the State of Arizona does not have any regulatory departments which require a license to perform home watch services. That said, we are an accredited member of the National Home Watch Association, which performs a background check & vetting process on all of its members.

Dennis currently holds Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac Inspection certifications and J.D. is a licensed real estate agent with the State of Arizona and is a member of the Arizona & National Association of Realtors.

Do I have to pay for your services if I am using the property?

You will not be charged for services when you are staying at the property. Your service schedule will be paused accordingly.

We do ask that you let us know about your travel plans one week in advance so we can avoid any unneeded visits to the property.

How will we receive inspection reports?

By email. We send the completed report to you before we leave your property. CLICK HERE to learn more about our reports.

Is Home Watch only for snow birds with second homes?

No. We offer home watch services for people who are leaving their home for many reasons. Extended vacation, unexpected health issues resulting in long hospital stays, seasonal or sporadic work schedules.

We have a solution for all types of situations, just give us a call and we can help find a solution for you.

How do you get into my house?

We will access your home with a key you provide to us. We will make a copy of your key as a back up.

No keys to your home will be kept on site in a lockbox.

I have an alarm & cameras. Isn’t that good enough?

An alarm is an excellent tool in the event of a break-in, alerting you or the police of a potential crime in progress. The downside is, if you’re out of state, who goes to meet the police or visit the house to ensure the house is secure? We are available for unscheduled visits to the property as needed, as well as being the local advocate and point of contact for your property.

Smart home camera systems are an excellent way to see what is happening at your property but, a camera is limited to only seeing things. A home watch inspection allows us to smell, hear or touch a potential issue, such as a foul odor or the sound of running water.

The other concern is if the power goes out, who resets your modem, router & other systems inside the property.

Have a question not listed here?

Feel free to call us direct at (623) 229-5308, and we’ll answer any question you may have.