Imagine finally getting a break from a long, cold winter in Canada, planning a much-needed vacation with your kids to your sunny second home in St. Pete, Florida. You’ve been looking forward to this week all year. But then, just days before your flight, you receive devastating news: your property has been trashed.

That’s exactly what happened to one of our newest clients. What followed was one of the most urgent, emotional, and rewarding projects we’ve ever taken on at In Good Hands Home Watch & Concierge Services. We’re sharing this story not just because it left a mark on us, but because it speaks directly to a major pain point for seasonal homeowners, snowbirds, and long-distance property owners alike: who takes care of your home when you’re not there?

The Call That Changed Everything

The client reached out from Canada. Her family owns a beautiful three-bedroom condo in St. Pete (Tampa Bay, Florida). They had rented it out long-term, trusting it would be treated with care. But things went sideways fast. The tenant refused to leave. After several notices, they finally vacated the unit—but what they left behind was nothing short of heartbreaking.

L. had planned to spend one joyful week in Saint Petersburg, Florida with her kids. Instead, she was met with photos of a destroyed home: holes in the walls, closet doors off the hinges, stains on the carpets, and even worse, a massive cockroach infestation. The furniture they left in good faith—a couch, a desk, a bed—was ruined.

The flight was already booked. The family would land in Tampa in just seven days.

The Response: Immediate, Relentless, and Personal

When L. called, we didn’t hesitate. Stefan and I drove straight to the property that same afternoon. We weren’t just seeing damage—we were feeling it. The pain of a ruined vacation. The pressure of a ticking clock. The heartbreak of seeing your home treated with disrespect.

That night, we mobilized everything. Carpet cleaners. Deep cleaning specialists. Junk removal. Pest control. Painters. Handymen. We weren’t working on a property; we were fighting for a family’s peace of mind.

What Happens When You Leave a Home Unwatched

This situation is an unfortunate example of what can go wrong when absentee homeowners don’t have consistent, professional home watch services in place. Had there been regular property inspections or concierge home care services, L. would have been alerted long before things escalated.

Mold and pests thrive in Florida’s humidity. Damage escalates quickly when left unchecked. Humidity control in vacant Florida homes is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. Without snowbird home check-ins, seasonal property maintenance, and vacation home oversight, small issues can snowball into full-blown crises.

The Power of Professional Home Concierge Service for snowbirds in Tampa Bay

Every day that week was scheduled down to the hour. We coordinated multiple vendors, oversaw clean-up, and ensured nothing was missed. Pest control came in at 11:30am, junk removal cleared the space, and the carpet team gave an honest estimate: clean or replace?

By Thursday, the decision was made. The painter finished painting in 2 days. But by some miracle, the deep cleaners finished right on time at 3pm—the exact moment L. and her family landed at Tampa International Airport.

They entered the apartment and it looked new. They said that this was the worst week of their life and we made it much easier. Everything was ready when they came in, and we also stocked their fridge with essentials, so they feel at home.

What We Offer: More Than Just Home Watching

This isn’t just about cleaning up a mess. It’s about full-spectrum concierge home services tailored to absentee homeowner services. Here’s what our home concierge services and home watch services in Tampa Bay can provide:

• Weekly or biweekly home watch inspections
• Storm and hurricane preparation services
• Post-storm property evaluations and photo reports for insurance
• Home concierge service near me options including mail collection, vendor management, fridge stocking
• Coordination of painting, repairs, pest control, deep cleaning

With our software, clients receive detailed digital reports with timestamped photos after each visit. Transparency is non-negotiable.

Why This Matters to You

If you’re a snowbird or seasonal resident, you’ve likely searched for things like:

• Snowbird property management
• Leaving second home empty for 5 months
• What to do with utilities when house is vacant
• How to prepare Florida home for hurricane season

But Google searches can’t replace a team on the ground. That’s where we come in.

You need someone who treats your home like their own. Who shows up. Who handles things before they spiral. Who doesn’t blink when handed a near-impossible timeline.

From Broken to Beautiful: Lisa’s Words

When we followed up, L.  said this:

That’s what this work is about.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

Whether you’re in Ontario, New York, or Boston, your Florida property needs someone present. Waiting until something goes wrong is the most expensive mistake you can make.

We specialize in:

• Home watch service St. Pete
• Concierge home care Tampa
• Luxury home management
• Long-distance property management

You don’t have to worry. You don’t have to scramble. You don’t have to fly down and clean up disasters yourself.

You just need to call us.

Want Peace of Mind While You’re Away? Let’s talk.

Schedule your free consultation today and let us protect your investment, your sanctuary, your peace of mind.

Because every seasonal home deserves to be in good hands.📞 781-290-9780
📧 support@ightampabay.com