What to Know About Vacation House Services
ChoreVoyant offers vacation house services. What are they? Is it house-sitting? Is it like having a property manager? This blog will explain the difference between house-sitting and home watch services, and how ChoreVoyant bridges the gap between the two.
The Difference Between Home Watch and House-sitting Services
Depending upon the company, home watch services can sound a lot like those of a property manager. According to the National Home Watch Association, it is described as "a visual inspection of a home or property, looking for obvious issues." This includes both the interior and the exterior--making sure all systems, such as the electrical, HVAC, and plumbing are all working properly. A home watch professional will check for leaks, mold, and pests. Reports, pictures, and videos can all be provided from the home watch professional to the homeowner. They also create the impression of a presence in the home--making sure any flyers or circulars are removed from porches and doorframes. In the event that there is a problem with your property, the home watch professional will be in touch with you and will handle the problem the way that you instruct them to.
House-sitters do many of the same tasks, while living in your home for the period of time that you are away. In addition to making sure the house is functioning problem-free, they frequently take on care of pets and plants, too. As a part of living in the home, they also are responsible for keeping the home clean and tidy as well. You will come home, too, to a refrigerator and pantry that have been re-stocked. In many ways, house-sitters are one-stop shopping; your home, pet, and garden are all cared for by one person. You don't have to board your pet and rely on a landscaper. Someone is in your home 24-7, same as you would be.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Home Watch and House-Sitting Services
Home watch professionals can be accredited. The National Home Watch Association offers certification programs for both businesses and employees. Knowing that the person looking after your home has been trained and vetted provides peace of mind.
Home Watch services may charge extra for more personalized services. Sometimes things like dealing with mail, deliveries, stocking your refrigerator, etc. can be part of a "premium" package, increasing the cost of using them.
There are services that vet house-sitters, and it is common to do background/ID checks prior to hiring. This is especially true here in the US. Even house-sitters who are not being paid for their services--that are just enjoying your home rent-free while you are away--can be vetted through membership in an organization such as TrustedHouseSitters. However, the homeowner will need to purchase that membership, or pay for the desired background checks.
If you are away from home for long periods of time (i.e. "snowbirds"), having a house-sitter may protect your homeowner's insurance policy. Most homeowner's insurance policies require someone to "live" in your home, and may consider it "vacant" if no one is there for 30-60 days. However, it is important to speak with your insurance agent. Your insurance carrier may prefer the reports and documentation of a home-watch service, or if you are using a house-sitter, they may ask for documentation of the house-sitter's responsibilities, as well as their dates of service.
ChoreVoyant's Vacation House Services
ChoreVoyant's vacation house services provide you with the same personalized attention as a house-sitter, without extra cost or living in your home! Not everyone is comfortable having someone stay in their home, no matter how well-vetted or recommended they come. Some people would, of course, make exceptions for family or close friends. However, those same people may not want to impose on their family, friends, or neighbors by having them come to their home, water the plants, take in the mail, etc. Other people may not want the "nuts and bolts" reporting of a home watch service. They'd like milk and eggs in the fridge, and no dust on the coffee table, thank you very much!
ChoreVoyant handles both the "nuts and bolts" of checking for leaks, making sure the heating system is working, setting out recycling, and turning lights on and off to make it look like "someone's home" on a daily basis, as well as those personalized services like watering the plants, tidying, and stocking the fridge. We are insured, too, for pet care services--so we are able to come in and check on your pet for feeding, walking, and play time. Our pet services are especially useful if you are out on a day-trip and don't want your schedule determined by your pets feeding and walking times! Here are some client's stories of how ChoreVoyant helped them while they were away:
- "L" was away for a long weekend and needed someone to look in on the family cat. I was happy to come by and feed the cat, scoop the litterbox (well, maybe I wasn't happy to do that, but anything for a cute kitty), and bring in any packages that arrived in her absence. She even returned home to a bouquet of flowers!
- "M," who is a regular client of ours, was traveling at holiday time and wanted to come home to a clean kitchen, a made bed, and laundry folded and put away. Done, done, and done!
- "D," another regular client, traveled for ten days this winter. ChoreVoyant made sure the recycling was set out on the proper date and that the cans were returned to their spot on the property, checked the water levels on the furnace, took in the mail, inspected the house for any leaks, checked doors and windows, adjusted the thermostat for her return home, and stocked the fridge.
We treat your home with the same care and attention to detail that we'd give ours. We want you to return to your home the same way we'd like to return to ours after traveling--ready to hit the ground running and get back into our normal routines. ChoreVoyant helps you do that by giving you peace of mind while you're away, and by preparing your home for your return. If you're traveling this summer, let's have a conversation. Call us at (201)707-5813 to see if our vacation house services are right for you.
