Last updated: October 2026
What does a home watch company do?
A home watch company visits an unoccupied home on a regular schedule, walks the interior and exterior, and reports what it sees to the owner. At House Hawk, Britt Galland makes the visits himself and sends a dated, photo-documented report. The work is visual. Repairs are left to qualified professionals the owner approves.
The phrase "house watch" gets used loosely, so it is worth being specific about what the job is and what it is not. I have walked hundreds of closed-up homes in San Diego County, and the job is much more routine than people expect.
What gets checked on a visit?
The checklist is built for the individual house. A typical walkthrough, which takes us about 30 to 45 minutes for a 4,000 sq ft home, covers:
- HVAC running and responding, usually with the thermostat set around 78F while the home is empty
- Faucets run for roughly 30 seconds each, with a look underneath for moisture
- The refrigerator operating and holding temperature
- The electrical panel, visually
- The visible condition of the pool area
- Doors, windows and gates
- Grounds, irrigation and landscaping where the property has them
None of this requires tools. It requires a trained eye and the habit of looking at the same house the same way each time, so a change stands out.
Why do small problems matter in a house nobody lives in?
A closed-up house can hide a slow leak under a sink, at a water heater or behind an appliance. It often shows only as staining or moisture that builds over weeks. Second homes are frequently empty for 3 to 6 months between seasons, so the risk is rarely one dramatic event. It is small things growing unnoticed.
On one visit last fall in Solana Beach, we found a dark patch on the cabinet floor under a guest bathroom sink. The owners were in another state, we sent photos the same day, and their plumber was out within two days. That is the case for a regular visit. Not to prevent anything, but to notice early and tell the owner.
What changes along the coast and in the estates?
In Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas, Carlsbad and La Jolla, salt air is hard on exterior fixtures, door hardware and HVAC condensers while a home sits closed. In Rancho Santa Fe and Fairbanks Ranch, lots often run 2 to 5 acres, with irrigation, landscaping and gated access, so a visit covers the grounds and gates as well as the house.
Fall adds another layer. Santa Ana wind events, with gusts that can top 50 mph, can drop debris, knock out power or open gates on an empty property. That is when most owners want someone to look. See how we approach it on the Rancho Santa Fe page and the Del Mar page.
What does the owner receive?
A photo-documented visit report with the date, so there is a record of the home's condition each visit. If something looks wrong, the owner hears about it. With the owner's approval, we help coordinate the right professional and meet them at the home. We do not authorize repairs or spend money on an owner's behalf.
What does home watch not do?
It is not security, patrol or alarm response. It is not a real estate or insurance inspection, and it does not replace a licensed contractor. We make no guarantee against leaks, damage or loss.
Home Watch is a visual property observation and reporting service. It is not a substitute for licensed security, contracting, inspection, or emergency services.
How do you start?
Visits begin with a walkthrough of the home and a checklist written around it. Read more about home watch visits, look at a sample report, or request a walkthrough.