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What Is Home Watch, and Do You Need It?
Home watch is a regular, scheduled visual inspection of your home while you're away. A trained home watch professional checks the inside and outside of the house for obvious problems like leaks, mold, pests, storm damage or break-ins, sends you a report after each visit, and acts as your local contact if anything goes wrong.
Last updated October 27, 2026
How home watch works
A home watch company visits your home on a set schedule, usually weekly or every other week, and follows a detailed checklist. At Sunshine Sentry, every checklist also includes a custom section built around your specific home and requests.
- Walk the outside: roof from the ground, windows, doors, lanai, pool and landscaping
- Walk the inside: check for leaks, run water, flush toilets, check the AC and humidity
- Check systems: breakers, appliances, security system
- Send you a confirmation after every visit
- Be your boots on the ground if something needs attention
Home watch vs. other options
House sitter
Lives in your home while you're away. Home watch visits on a schedule and follows a professional checklist instead.
Property manager
Usually manages rentals and tenants. Home watch is built for owner-occupied homes that sit empty part of the year.
Security system
Watches for break-ins, but can't spot a slow leak, mold, pests or a failed AC unit. Home watch can.
Friend or neighbor
Kind, but rarely trained, insured or available on a schedule. A home watch company is accountable, bonded and insured.
Cleaning service
Keeps the house tidy, but isn't looking for the issues that cause expensive damage.
Home watch
Scheduled, documented visits by a professional who knows what to look for, plus help with vendors, storms and emergencies.
Do you need home watch in Southwest Florida?
If your home sits empty for weeks or months, the answer is usually yes. Southwest Florida's heat and humidity are hard on an empty house, and a failed AC unit or slow leak can lead to mold or water damage quickly. Hurricane season also overlaps with the months most seasonal residents are away.
Some homeowner's insurance policies also have conditions for homes that are left vacant or unoccupied for long periods, so it's worth checking your policy.
We recommend weekly visits for most homes. See our home watch plans or learn how home watch is priced.
Why Sunshine Sentry
- NHWA accredited, bonded and insured
- A custom section on every checklist
- Billed monthly, not by the visit
- We coordinate and follow up on your vendors
- No long-term contract
Home watch FAQ
What is home watch?
Home watch is a regular visual inspection of a home while the owner is away, looking for obvious issues like leaks, mold, pests, storm damage or break-ins, and reporting back to the owner after every visit.
Is home watch the same as house sitting?
No. A house sitter stays in your home. A home watch professional visits on a schedule, checks the home inside and out against a checklist, documents what they find and acts as your local contact if something goes wrong.
Is home watch the same as property management?
No. Property managers usually handle rentals, tenants and rent collection. Home watch is for owner-occupied homes that sit empty part of the year, and focuses on regular inspections and peace of mind.
Do I still need home watch if I have a security system?
A security system monitors for break-ins, but it won't notice a slow leak, a failed AC unit, mold, pests or a tripped breaker. Home watch provides a regular physical presence and a hands-on check of the home.
Who needs home watch?
Seasonal residents, second-home owners and anyone who leaves their Southwest Florida home empty for weeks or months, especially during summer and hurricane season.
Ready to protect your home while you're away?
Tell us about your home and we'll recommend the right plan.