Sending someone to your home to look around and then leave seems like a pretty straightforward task. However, things are not always as they seem.
Athens is an old city with an old building stock. Most of the properties are old and have old plumbing and electrical systems. Some of the properties are newer but still have shared building systems, noisy neighbors and common areas that need constant maintenance. A problem can arise at any time and needs to be addressed immediately.
Trust means having someone experienced and reliable check on your home when you are not there. This person needs to be reliable in terms of following through on their commitments and be available at short notice should something go wrong.
Character is not necessarily reliable. Someone can be the nicest person on the planet but during a critical moment they fail to deliver. Someone who checks on your home regularly needs to follow through on commitments to schedule regular home checks, identify potential problems and respond to them before they become a bigger issue. This combination is rare.
Trust is based on the person’s consistency, reliability and communication. Therefore, a person or service that monitors your home should:
- Provide evidence of their home check (photos and/or video of interior and exterior of your home etc)
- Send you a report detailing what they inspect
- Be proactive when identifying a possible concern
- Communicate with you promptly and clearly in case of an issue
- Have a defined procedure for emergency situations
Trust exists when there is no doubt in your mind as to whether someone has actually been to visit your home and check on it for you or not. You just know they have.
Key Characteristics to Search for in a Reliable Home Check Service
1. Reliability and routine
Having many visits does not necessarily mean having quality home checks. Most importance is given to reliability rather than frequency of visits.
2. Local presence
Locals will be able to respond quickly to a call and will have a good knowledge of the day to day issues faced by residents of older properties, using local services, managing with shared heating and knowing the local neighborhood and community regulations.
3. Experience in working with Athens properties
Apartment buildings in Athens have their own specifics, older systems (plumbing, heating, ventilation, etc.), joint use systems, and specific rules regarding building regulations. A home watch provider with experience of properties similar to yours will be able to spot potential problems before they become costly repairs.
4. Communication
Communication of what has been checked and what has been found out is key to trust. Providing frequent updates through photos, short messages and updates is best.
5. Emergency planning
Do they have an emergency procedure in place? How would that be handled and who would be your first point of contact? Would they assist with contacting a tradesperson (plumber, electrician etc.) and/or building manager?
DIY Monitoring vs Using a Professional Home Watch Service
A large proportion of homeowners use a DIY method of monitoring their home at first, involving occasional checks by friends and occasional cleans by the odd cleaner. However, homeowners quickly realize the limitations of such an informal approach.
There is no structure to any DIY monitoring being conducted by you, your family or friends. Typically there is no fixed schedule of inspections, no set checklist of items to be looked for, and no way of even sending you a report on what has been found let alone acting on it.
When selecting the best solution for the monitoring of your home it is essential to remember that a home watch company’s main function is to visit your property on your behalf but the greatest benefit to you is that they can remove uncertainty from your life.
Most Home Watch services provide interior walk-throughs, checks on ventilation, plumbing, for signs of moisture, checks on appliances and details of all findings in a report. Most importantly, they are independent and can provide a level of objectivity that would be lacking with a trusted individual providing Home Watch services.
Warning Signs to Watch For
Not all solutions are of equal merit. Be wary of the following:
- The home watch provider does not provide sufficient detail regarding the frequency of their visits.
- No clear list of items that are checked
- They refuse to provide photographs or updates
- They have no emergency response strategy
- They rely too heavily on oral agreements
- They are not transparent about what they do.
Determining the Best Solution for Your Specific Needs
Every home owner has different needs. The risks connected with a home that is left vacant for a long time are different than the risks connected with an old home that is left vacant for a long time. Even the risks that a home owner is willing to take can differ a lot. And the ability to return to one’s home at any time also plays a large role in choosing the best solution.
Think about:
- How long your home will be vacant
- The age and condition of the building
- Your risk tolerance
- How quickly you would be able to return to your home
Your solution has to adjust to the amount of exposure your home is getting.
Final Thoughts on Safeguarding Your Property in Athens
A very lively and active city, yet the risks for vacant homes manifest rapidly and the consequences can be massive, especially if you leave your home unattended for long periods of time and lose contact with the area.
Finding someone to monitor your home does not have to be a guessing game. Find someone that is reliable, accountable and transparent. Value consistency over friendship, good intentions and assumptions.
If you know your home is being properly taken care of then you will travel differently, you will sleep better at night and you will have less of a problem.
Ultimately, it is peace of mind that a home care solution should provide.