Owning a second home, vacation home, or even a primary residence in Fort Worth, Texas, is rewarding—but it raises a big question: What happens to your property when you’re not there?
Whether you're away for summer, winter, or just a few weeks, a vacant home faces serious risks, such as security concerns, water damage, mold growth, and HVAC system failures. Left unchecked, these potential problems can turn into costly disasters.
That’s why a home watch service is essential. At 1st Choice Property Management, we offer tailored solutions to keep your house well-maintained, secure, and monitored while you’re away, giving vacation homeowners real peace of mind.
What Is Home Watch?
A home watch service is a professional solution for homeowners who leave their property unoccupied for extended periods. Whether your property is vacant due to travel or other reasons, a home watch company conducts regular inspections, providing peace of mind that your home is being monitored.
Managing properties from afar offers convenience and ensures your home remains secure and well cared for. What does a home watcher do? We care for your house like it’s our own—checking windows, doors, and the interior and exterior. We flush toilets, inspect for mold, monitor plumbing, test security systems, and confirm that detectors, cameras, and alarms are working. We prioritize maintaining a connection with homeowners, offering flexible services tailored to individual needs.
What Is the Meaning of Home Watch?
“Home watch” refers to scheduled checks of an unoccupied or seasonal home by trained professionals. Our job is to spot signs of damage, pests, or failures before they become costly repairs. Any issues are promptly reported, ensuring they are addressed before they escalate. The difference lies in diligence—we don’t just watch; we act.
How Home Watch Differs from Property Management
While they sound similar, home watch services are distinct from property management.
- Property managers handle tenant needs, rent, maintenance, and legal compliance for occupied properties.
- Home watch services, like ours, focus on vacant homes and second homes, making sure they’re safe, secure, and functioning properly in your absence. Our services are tailored to meet the specific needs of homeowners, ensuring compliance with HOA requirements and delivering customized plans that meet their unique needs. After each inspection, detailed reports are sent to the owner, outlining the condition of the property and any necessary actions to ensure peace of mind during the owner's absence.
What are the 4 types of property management?
- Residential
- Commercial
- Industrial
- Special Purpose (including seasonal homes and vacation rentals)
What Is a Seasonal Property?
A seasonal property is one that’s occupied only part of the year—common among snowbirds, traveling families, or business owners. When you’re not there, you’re relying on someone to check in, spot problems, and respond fast.
What happens to a house when no one lives in it? Plenty. You might return to find mold buildup, a rodent infestation, or discover your HVAC system failed during a heatwave.
That’s why home watch services are so critical in Fort Worth, where sudden weather shifts and power outages can wreak havoc. Regularly maintaining the property, including tasks like exterior care, landscaping, and security checks, helps avoid violations and fines. Additionally, preventing issues from occurring, such as blockages or leaks in plumbing systems, ensures the home remains safe and ready for your return.
Why Homeowners in Fort Worth Need Home Watch
Let’s say you head out for a long vacation. While you’re away, a leak starts under your sink. By the time you return, your floors, drywall, and possibly the home’s structure are damaged. Without someone checking on the property, even small problems can become expensive emergencies. Properties that host guests, such as vacation homes and rental properties, particularly benefit from enhanced security features to ensure the safety of both the property and the guests.
Our home watch team in Fort Worth looks for:
- Water leaks
- Mold growth
- HVAC failures
- Security breaches
- Signs of pests or rodents
- Uncollected mail or flyers—a signal to burglars that no one’s home
We help ensure your home always looks occupied, monitored, and under watch, keeping criminals, intruders, and damage at bay.
Is It Worth Paying for a Home Watch Service?
Absolutely. With our affordable rates, you can avoid:
- Thousands in repairs from undetected issues
- Losing insurance coverage due to non-compliance
- Stress and worry about your home while you’re away
We recommend specific security systems, such as ADT and SimpliSafe, for vacation homes. These systems offer reliable, customizable services tailored to your unique needs.
How much does a home watch service cost in Fort Worth? Depending on your property size and service frequency, pricing typically ranges from $50 to $150 per visit. We offer custom packages based on your needs—whether you’re away for a month or a season. Our services help safeguard your home from intrusions and ensure safety through regular inspections and advanced technology.
What to Expect from Home Watch Inspections
We inspect your home with a detailed checklist. Learn more about home security and property management services to protect your investment. Our team:
- Verifies security cameras, sensors, and lights
- Confirm doors and windows are secure
- Checks for leaks, mold, pests, or signs of forced entry
- Sends digital reports with photos
- Provides emergency response if any damage or issues arise
We also offer seasonal inspections in fall, spring, winter, and summer to ensure your home is prepared for changing conditions. Our service allows homeowners to manage aspects of their property remotely, enhancing security and flexibility.
What Security System Measures Are Included?
A good home security system is essential, but it’s not enough on its own. Systems that can detect motion inside the property are crucial for enhancing safety and providing immediate notifications. Our services include:
- Cameras and motion detectors
- Check of all security system components
- Verification that all entry points are locked and functioning
- Lighting checks to simulate occupancy
- Alarm monitoring and emergency contact
How much does a whole-house security system cost? Systems vary, but generally range between $300 and $1,500 upfront, plus monthly monitoring. Still, a system alone can’t flush toilets or spot a water buildup—you need boots on the ground. Smart door locks and remote access features, including issuing and revoking virtual keys, enhance security and convenience for homeowners.
Maintenance and Upkeep
Keeping a home in good condition requires ongoing attention. Home watch services help by checking plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems and handling pest control, lawn care, and other routine tasks. With regular oversight, homeowners can prevent small issues from becoming costly and ensure their property stays safe, clean, and well-maintained—even when they’re away.
Emergency Preparedness
Home watch services play a vital role in emergency response. During events like power outages or natural disasters, they check your home, ensure it’s secure, and address any immediate issues. With a plan in place, homeowners gain peace of mind knowing their property is protected, even in their absence.
Home Watch: More Than Just a Check-In
Beyond safety, our home watch service in Fort Worth offers:
- Vendor coordination: Let in contractors, handle repairs
- Storm preparation and cleanup
- Regular updates and custom schedules
- Peace of mind, whether your home is a vacation home, second property, or investment asset
Our services are designed to adapt to clients' schedules, ensuring maximum convenience and flexibility.
What does a property monitor do? They ensure your home is in good condition, functioning smoothly, and ready for use at any time. Smart technology can automatically turn on lighting, adjust thermostats, and enhance the overall automation of your vacation home, providing both convenience and security for homeowners.
Finding a Reliable Home Watch Service
Choosing the right home watch service is key to keeping your property well-maintained and secure. While some rely on neighbors or individuals, a professional home watch company offers the expertise, resources, and reliability homeowners need. Do your due diligence—check reviews, ask for references, and seek recommendations to ensure you find a trusted provider that fits your needs.
When choosing a home watch service, always look for one that is accredited and insured. Accreditation, like from the National Home Watch Association, ensures top standards, while insurance protects both you and the provider. A trusted, professional home watch company helps prevent costly repairs, reduces risks like water damage and mold growth, and keeps your property safe and secure, even in your absence.
Why Choose 1st Choice Property Management?
We are trusted by homeowners across Fort Worth to:
- Keep their homes safe and well-maintained
- Offer reliable home watch plans tailored to every season
- Deliver on trust, service, and peace of mind
Smart home products are designed with the future in mind, offering increased functionality and longevity. From checking your security system to monitoring for pests, we treat your home like our own. Whether you’re spending the winter elsewhere or traveling for work, our goal is to protect your investment while you enjoy life. Our advanced security features help protect vacation homes by monitoring and preventing unauthorized access by people, ensuring tailored protection against potential intruders.
Ready to Protect Your Vacant Home While You're Away?
Don’t let water leaks, criminals, or mold growth ruin your time away. In case you have doubts about affordability, rest assured that our security equipment is built to last and performs effectively in real-world situations. Choose the professional home watch company that Fort Worth homeowners trust.
🏡 Explore our Home Watch Services
📞 Have questions? Contact Our Fort Worth Team
