Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

  • Home Watch is a professional service that performs scheduled visits to visually inspect a home or property while the owner is away. The National Home Watch Association defines Home Watch as a visual inspection looking for obvious issues such as leaks, damage, or security concerns.

    The goal is to identify potential problems early and keep homeowners informed so they can decide how they would like to proceed.

  • House sitters typically live in your home while you’re away and focus on occupying the property or handling day-to-day tasks.

    Home Watch is different. The home remains vacant, and a professional visits on a scheduled basis to conduct structured inspections, monitor systems, and provide reports. Many homeowners prefer this approach because it provides professional oversight without someone living in their personal space.

  • Property management focuses on rental operations — tenants, leasing, rent collection, and ongoing maintenance coordination.

    Home Watch is designed for homes that are vacant and need oversight. This includes primary homes, second homes, and vacant rental properties.

    Nested does not manage tenants or rental operations. Our role is to monitor the physical condition of the home, identify concerns early, and coordinate with trusted vendors when needed.

  • Home Watch services are commonly used by:

    • Seasonal or second-home owners
    • Full-time homeowners traveling for extended periods
    • Part-time Maine residents
    • Owners of vacant homes
    • Owners of vacant rental properties needing oversight between occupants
    • People away on short-term vacations or temporary travel

    Home Watch is appropriate any time a home will be unoccupied and the owner wants professional monitoring.

  • No. Home Watch can be used whether you’re away for a short trip, a few weeks, a season, or longer.

    Nested requires a one-week minimum service period, but many homeowners use Home Watch during vacations or extended travel to ensure their home is monitored while they’re gone.

  • Visit frequency depends on your home, systems, and how long you’ll be away. Many homeowners choose weekly visits, though other schedules can be discussed during your consultation.

    We work with you to establish a consistent cadence that provides the right level of oversight for your property.

  • Visit length varies depending on the size of the home and systems being monitored. Most visits range from about 45 minutes to 90 minutes.

    Each visit includes a structured walkthrough to ensure the home and property are properly reviewed.

  • Nested follows a structured inspection process aligned with industry best practices. Each visit includes a comprehensive walkthrough of the interior and exterior of the home.

    After every visit, clients receive:

    • A detailed digital report
    • Time-stamped photos
    • Notes on observations
    • Notification of any concerns that may need attention

    This documentation helps homeowners stay informed and maintain a clear record of their property while they are away.

  • If we observe anything that requires attention, we will notify you immediately and provide photos and details.

    From there, you decide how you’d like to proceed. If needed, we can help coordinate with vendors or contractors you approve.

  • Our primary role is to monitor your home and coordinate with trusted professionals when needed.

    For small items, minor handyman tasks may be handled as part of concierge services when appropriate. Larger repairs or specialized work are coordinated with licensed professionals.

  • Concierge services provide additional support beyond routine Home Watch visits. These may include pre-arrival home preparation, storm preparation, checking pool levels, vendor coordination, deliveries, or other property-related needs.

    Concierge services can be added at the start of service or requested at any time while you are a client. We’ll confirm availability and scope with you before scheduling.

  • Yes. Before service begins, clients receive a written service agreement outlining responsibilities, scope of service, communication procedures, and policies. This helps ensure expectations are clear and service is handled professionally from the start.

  • Yes. Nested Home Watch carries appropriate insurance coverage, and proof of coverage is available to clients upon request.

    As an accredited member of the National Home Watch Association, we also meet their requirements related to insurance, background checks, and professional standards.

  • Accreditation through the National Home Watch Association means the business has been independently vetted based on licensing, insurance, background checks, and adherence to a professional code of ethics.

    This helps provide homeowners with confidence that their Home Watch provider is operating according to recognized industry standards.

  • Yes. During colder months, visits include monitoring for signs of freezing risk, checking heating conditions, and identifying any visible plumbing concerns so issues can be addressed early.

  • Yes. Post-storm checks can be scheduled or included in your visit plan. We visually assess the exterior of the home, roofline, access areas, and any visible weather-related concerns and report findings promptly.

  • Yes. During visits, we verify that heating systems appear to be operating normally and check generator status where applicable. If anything looks unusual, we notify you immediately and can coordinate with service professionals if needed.

  • In most cases, service can begin within one to two weeks after the initial consultation, depending on scheduling and the time needed to complete onboarding and home orientation.

    We work with clients to ensure service begins before they leave whenever possible.

  • Because every home is different, services are tailored based on the home’s size, systems, and how long you’ll be away.

    Following a consultation, we provide a recommended service plan so homeowners understand the level of oversight being proposed.

  • The first step is a consultation so we can learn about your home, systems, and expectations. From there, we’ll recommend a service plan tailored to your needs.

    Contact us to schedule a consultation.