Frequently Asked Questions
What is Home Watch?
The National Home Watch Association defines Home Watch as “The visual inspection of a vacant home or property looking for obvious issues.”
Are you a house sitter service?
We are not a house sitter. Our core service includes periodic visits to your home where we follow a specific and mutually agreed upon checklist. We are in your home for less than an hour per visit and take great pride in making sure your home is as you left it for your return. House sitters are not looking to be caretakers. They are looking for a place to stay and get paid in a nice area with 24/7 access to everything in your home.
What type of reporting can I expect from you?
While You’re Away Home Watch will send you a detailed report by email with pictures of any problems identified upon completion of inspecting the interior and exterior of your home.
We have a neighborhood watch program. Doesn’t that do the same thing?
Most neighborhood watch programs are passive by nature and do not provide the level of engagement with your property that While You’re Away Home Watch provides. We will check your property’s interior and exterior in far more detail than you can expect from a neighborhood watch program.
Do you provide keyholder services?
Yes! We can coordinate access to your property for any situation at an hourly rate. All we need is your notification of date and time and any instructions you have.
Are your services expensive?
We think our services are reasonably priced for the value we provide. When you compare the possible damage due to a leak or damage by pests or vagrants with the cost, our services are an excellent value. We will be happy to discuss our pricing for home watch services and any additional services you may require at a free consultation.
Can you help me with home maintenance services?
While we do not provide home maintenance services, we can refer you to quality contractors or vendors and coordinate access to your property.
What is While You’re Away Home Watch?
While You’re Away Home Watch is a professional insured, bonded, and accredited Home Watch Service serving Lavallette, Mantoloking, Normandy Beach, Silver Beach, Chadwick Beach, Chadwick Island, Ocean Beaches, and Seaside Park. We check your property and identify problems or potential problems that can occur while your property is vacant. We provide a physical presence that is not available through a remote alarm monitoring service. We can help with most requests you have by contacting us.
My alarm company provides security for my home. What value do you add?
An alarm company monitors entry into your home or a fire alarm but they do not monitor potential problems that can occur due to broken pipes, mold, pests or vagrants. We identify those problems or the possibility of their occurrence and notify you for guidance.
What are your credentials?
While You’re Away Home Watch Home Watch proudly displays the Accredited banner of the National Home Watch Association. We have been vetted and approved by this organization to insure we are bonded and insured for your protection. We also subscribe to the NHWA’s Code of Ethics.
If I need coordination with contractors doing work on my home can you help?
While You’re Away Home Watch will provide access services and remain on-site for an hourly charge. We ask for at least a 48 hours notification to schedule our personnel.
If you find a problem what type of notification will I receive?
While You’re Away Home Watch will send you a report upon completion of our visit to your home. Any problems identified will be accompanied by pictures and details of the problem. If we take any immediate action to prevent further damage we will contact you immediately to discuss what occurred and consider what course of action is needed for the repair.
Are you a property inspector?
While we check your property, we are NOT a property inspector. Property inspectors are usually involved at the sale of a property to do a detailed inspection of the structure, plumbing, electrical and heating and air condition systems. While You’re Away Home Watch provides a visual inspection of your vacant home or property looking for obvious issues.