Naples Home Watch for Seasonal Homes & Condos

Know what is happening in your home while you are away

Every fall, thousands of owners come back to Naples to open up a house that has sat closed for the summer. Most find it just as they left it. A few walk into a damp smell, a stained ceiling, a dead air conditioner or a lanai screen torn open by a storm they heard about on the news. The difference between those two groups is rarely luck. It is whether someone was checking the house while they were gone.

That is what home watch is. A trained person visits your empty home on a schedule, follows a checklist inside and out, takes photos and sends you a report. If something is wrong, you hear about it the same day. You get peace of mind, and the house gets a chance to tell you its problems while they are still small.

It probably sounds like a lot to ask of a stranger with a key. That worry is reasonable, and it is the first question to ask any provider: how do you handle keys, who has access, and what insurance do you carry? We built this site to connect Naples owners with independent local home watch providers and to explain, honestly, what the service is and is not, so you can ask the right questions before you hire anyone.

Naples has a very seasonal rhythm. Most owners arrive around November and head north again around Easter or April. The hot, wet months that follow overlap with hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30. That is when your house is most exposed and least watched. A home watch visit every one or two weeks covers that gap: it checks for water, keeps an eye on the air conditioning and humidity, looks over the roof, screens and pool area, and gives you a dated record if you ever need to show an insurer what the home looked like and when.

When you call the number on this page, you are connected with an independent local provider who serves Naples and the surrounding area, including Pelican Bay, Port Royal, Grey Oaks, Mediterra, Quail West, Talis Park, Old Naples, Park Shore and North Naples, as well as Bonita Springs, Estero and Marco Island. Tell them where the home is, how long you will be away, and what worries you most. They will explain how their visits work and what they charge.

Home watch is not a security service, a home inspection or property management. It is a visual check by a trained person. See our page on scheduled visits for what is and is not included.

Home watch, home sitting, property management and security: what is the difference?

What happens when you call

1. A few quick questions. Where the home is, whether it is a house or condo, how long you will be away, and what concerns you most: water, the air conditioner, storms or access.
2. A conversation with a provider. An independent local provider explains how often they visit, what is on their checklist, how reports work and what they charge.
3. An agreement and an access plan. You agree on a schedule, how they will enter (garage keypad, lockbox or gate guest list), who to call in an emergency and how much they may spend without asking.
4. Regular visits and reports. After each visit you receive a checklist and photos, and an immediate message if there is a problem.

Questions to ask before you hire a home watch provider

• Can I see your inspection checklist, and a sample report?
• Do you carry liability insurance, and can you send me the certificate? Are you bonded?
• How do you store keys and codes, and who else can get to them?
• What do you do if you find a leak or the AC is off, and how soon do I hear?
• How do you handle storms before and after, and how many homes do you serve?
• Who covers my home if you are sick or away?
• What is included in the price, and what costs extra?

About Us

Naples Home Watch is a local referral service. We do not send our own crews. We connect Naples owners with independent home watch providers and explain, in plain language, what the service is and is not. More about how it works.

Our Services

These are the things a Naples home watch provider can check, prepare and coordinate while you are away.

Scheduled Home Watch Visits

A provider visits your home on a schedule that fits your travel and your insurer's expectations: weekly, bi-weekly or monthly. They walk the interior and exterior with a checklist, run water to keep drain traps full, and send photos and notes afterward. If something is wrong, you hear about it the same day.

Learn more about scheduled home watch visits   CALL (239) 592-3458

Water Leak & Moisture Checks

Water is the most expensive thing that goes wrong in an empty house. Providers check ceilings, walls, sinks, toilets, the water heater and appliances for leaks, stains and odors, and report problems at once with photos so you can call a plumber before the damage spreads.

Learn more about water leak & moisture checks   CALL (239) 592-3458

AC, Humidity & Mold Checks

In a Florida summer the air conditioner is what keeps mold out. A provider confirms the system is running, the thermostat is where you set it and the humidity is under control, and tells you right away if the AC has failed or an outage has left the house hot and damp.

Learn more about ac, humidity & mold checks   CALL (239) 592-3458

Pool, Lanai & Exterior Checks

Your lanai, pool cage, irrigation, roofline and landscaping are exposed to heat, salt air and storms. A provider checks screens, doors, equipment and the yard, and keeps the house from looking vacant by collecting mail and flyers. It is a check, not pool or lawn service.

Learn more about pool, lanai & exterior checks   CALL (239) 592-3458

Hurricane Prep & Post-Storm Checks

Many providers will prepare a home before a named storm, putting up shutters and moving furniture, and check it once travel is safe. You get a dated photo and video record of what they find, which helps with insurance and with deciding what to do next.

Learn more about hurricane prep & post-storm checks   CALL (239) 592-3458

Snowbird Arrival & Departure Prep

Arrival and departure prep makes the start and end of your season easier. At departure, a provider helps with shutdown. Before you land, they open the house, turn on the water, check the AC and water heater, and sometimes stock the kitchen.

Learn more about snowbird arrival & departure prep   CALL (239) 592-3458

Contractor & Vendor Access

Pool crews, HVAC technicians, plumbers and adjusters all need to get into your home while you are away. A provider holds a key or code, meets approved vendors at the door, stays while they work and tells you what was done.

Learn more about contractor & vendor access   CALL (239) 592-3458

Frequently Asked Questions

What is home watch?

Home watch is a service in which a trained person visits an unoccupied home on a schedule, checks it inside and out with a checklist, and reports what they find. It is designed to catch problems like leaks, AC failures, pests and storm damage early.

How much does home watch cost in Naples?

Home watch commonly runs roughly $40 to $125 per visit in Florida, and weekly plans are often a few hundred dollars a month. Price depends on the frequency of visits, the size and features of the home, travel distance and extras. Ask each provider what is included.

How often should my home be checked?

Many owners choose weekly or bi-weekly visits during the months they are away. Some homeowner policies limit coverage for homes left unoccupied for extended periods or expect periodic checks, so ask your insurance agent what yours requires.

Is home watch the same as a home inspection?

No. A home inspection is a formal evaluation, usually done for a sale. A home watch visit is a visual check of an unoccupied home. Providers report what they see and do not diagnose or repair.

Is home watch a security service?

No. Providers do not monitor alarms, patrol the neighborhood or respond to break-ins. They will tell you if they see signs of entry or damage, and some can coordinate with your alarm company.

What happens if the provider finds a problem?

A good provider contacts you right away with photos. Depending on your instructions, they may close the main water valve, let a plumber or HVAC technician in, or contact your emergency contact. Repairs are done by licensed trades.

Do home watch providers prepare homes for hurricanes?

Many do, either as part of a plan or as an extra. Typical tasks include putting up shutters, moving lanai furniture and loose items, and checking the home after the storm when travel is safe.

How will the provider get into my home?

Common methods are a garage keypad, a lockbox, a physical key held by the provider, or guest-list entry at a gated community. Ask how keys and codes are stored and who else has access.

Can the provider turn the water and AC on before I arrive?

Many offer arrival prep, which can include opening the house, turning on the water and water heater, setting the AC and stocking the refrigerator. Ask what is included and book a few weeks ahead.

Should I use a neighbor or friend instead?

A neighbor can help for a short trip. For months-long absences, many owners prefer a professional who follows a checklist, documents visits and has a backup plan, since a friend may be traveling too, or be unsure what to look for.

Do I need insurance and references from a provider?

Ask for them. Request proof of liability insurance, ask whether the provider is bonded, and ask for references from other Naples homeowners. A professional will not mind.

When do most Naples snowbirds arrive and leave?

Most seasonal residents arrive around November and leave around Easter or April, though some come in October or stay into May.

Areas We Serve

Home watch connections throughout Naples and nearby Collier and Lee County communities:

• Naples
• Old Naples
• Park Shore
• Moorings
• Coquina Sands
• Port Royal
• Pelican Bay
• Grey Oaks
• Mediterra
• Quail West
• Talis Park
• Tiburon
• Bay Colony
• Lely Resort
• North Naples
• Bonita Springs
• Estero
• Marco Island
• Goodland
• Collier County

Home watch in Bonita Springs  |  Home watch in Estero  |  Home watch in Marco Island