You have a good neighbor. They have offered to keep an eye on your Palm City home while you are gone for the summer. They will grab your mail, check on things every couple of weeks, and call you if anything looks wrong.
It sounds like a perfectly reasonable plan. And for a lot of snowbirds, it is the plan they have relied on for years.
But here is the problem: your neighbor has no idea what they are looking at.
When a neighbor checks on your home, they walk in, look around, and leave. They are looking for the obvious — a broken window, a flooded floor, an alarm going off. They are not checking your water heater for the early signs of a failing pressure relief valve. They are not feeling your AC vents for reduced airflow that signals a clogged filter or a refrigerant leak. They are not looking at the water stain forming in the corner of your garage ceiling.
These are the things that cost $15,000 to fix in November — and $400 to fix in June if someone trained to spot them is walking your property every week.
Martin County has one of the highest concentrations of seasonal residents in all of Florida. Communities like Palm City, Sewalls Point, Harbour Ridge, and Hobe Sound fill up between October and April — and empty out almost entirely by May.
That means that from June through October, entire neighborhoods of beautiful, well-maintained homes sit vacant. And Florida does not take a summer off.
The heat, humidity, storms, and wildlife do not care that you are in Michigan. Your home is sitting in one of the most demanding climates in North America — and nobody is watching.
"I have traveled all over the world for work. Nothing compares to the Treasure Coast. But I also know firsthand how fast Florida can humble a homeowner who is not paying attention."
— Ruger Hummel, While You're Away Co., Stuart FLEvery visit I conduct at a Palm City, Stuart, or Hobe Sound property covers a detailed checklist that your neighbor simply is not equipped to complete:
Interior: HVAC system and filter condition, water heater, all plumbing fixtures, signs of water intrusion on ceilings and walls, mold and mildew check, pest activity, smoke and CO detectors, and all windows and interior doors.
Exterior: Roof condition with drone aerial inspection, gutters and downspouts, all entry points and locks, window screens, driveway and walkways, lawn and irrigation, mailbox, and any signs of unauthorized access.
After every visit you receive a timestamped photo report in your email — organized by room and area, with notes on anything that needs attention. You see exactly what I see. There are no surprises in November.
Some homeowner insurance policies in Florida require regular professional inspections of vacant properties. Check your policy — a home watch service may actually be a requirement, not just a recommendation.
Many of Martin County's most desirable communities — Harbour Ridge, Martin Downs, The Medalist, Lost Lake, Crane Creek — are governed by HOAs with strict appearance and maintenance standards. Unmaintained lawns, storm debris, and property issues can result in HOA violations and fines even while you are away.
A professional home watch service monitors your property against HOA standards on every visit — catching a lawn that needs attention or debris that needs removal before it becomes a formal violation.
Monthly home watch coverage starts at $89 per month — about $3 a day. Compare that to the average cost of a single undetected plumbing leak ($3,000-$8,000), a mold remediation project ($5,000-$20,000), or a denied insurance claim due to undocumented storm damage.
The math is not complicated. Peace of mind has a price — and it is considerably lower than the alternative.
I personally visit your property, document everything, and send you a full photo report after every visit. No contracts, no strangers — just your neighbor Ruger keeping an eye on things.
Book Your First Visit — $75