You finally got away. The flights are booked, the bags are packed, and your second home in St. Petersburg is locked up tight. Out of sight, out of mind, right?

But here’s the reality: just because you’re not home doesn’t mean your house stops needing attention.

In fact, vacant homes in Florida need more care than ever — especially during the summer months and hurricane season.

At In Good Hands Home Watch, we’ve seen the consequences of “set it and forget it” too many times. And we’ve also seen how easy it is to prevent disaster with the right support.

This blog is for anyone who has left their Florida home empty for more than a few weeks and assumed everything would be just fine.

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What Happens When No One is Watching

Think about all the little things that can go wrong in a home — even when you’re living in it full-time. A strange smell, a dripping sound, a tripped breaker, a door that doesn’t close quite right.

Now imagine that happening when you’re not there to notice it.

In Florida, the risks are even higher:

• Humidity climbs fast when the AC is off or broken
• Mold grows quietly, starting in small corners and closets
• Pests move in, especially in summer when it’s warm and quiet
• Water leaks behind a wall or under a sink can soak drywall and flooring
• Storms roll through and cause exterior damage
• Power outages knock out your fridge or HVAC, and no one notices for days

These aren’t rare occurrences. These are the exact problems we’re called in to fix after the fact — and they are almost always preventable.

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The True Cost of Doing Nothing

It’s easy to assume that skipping home watch services is “saving money.” But here’s what some of our clients spent before hiring us:

• $12,000 in mold remediation after an undetected HVAC failure
• $8,500 in repairs after a roof leak went unnoticed for a month
• $3,600 in spoiled food and appliance replacement after a power outage
• $5,000 in storm damage to pool furniture and patio screens

That doesn’t include the time, stress, or insurance battles that followed.

Compare that to the average home watch service fee starting at  $150 a month, and it’s clear — doing nothing is the expensive choice.

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What a Home Watch Service Actually Does

Our clients often ask, “What do you actually look for during a visit?”

Here’s a quick look at what we check during each home watch visit:

• Walk the exterior and inspect for signs of forced entry, storm damage, or vandalism
• Check windows, doors, and screens for any gaps or cracks
• Bring in mail, packages, flyers, or newspapers
• Inspect ceilings, walls, and floors for signs of leaks or mold
• Test the HVAC system and humidity levels
• Run water through sinks, showers, and tubs
• Flush toilets and check for slow leaks
• Look for pest activity or droppings
• Ensure appliances are functioning
• Confirm all systems are working properly
• Send you a full report with photos after every visit

If something doesn’t look right, we don’t just alert you — we help coordinate solutions with your vendors or ours.

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Who Needs Home Watch in St. Pete?

While most people think home watch is just for snowbirds, we serve a much wider range of homeowners:

• Seasonal residents and retirees
• Real estate investors
• Luxury second-home owners
• Busy professionals who travel often
• Families who leave for extended vacations
• Adult children managing their parents’ home remotely
• Airbnb or short-term rental owners during vacancies

If your home is empty for even a few weeks at a time, we can help protect it.

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Areas We Serve

We provide home watch visits and concierge services across:

• St. Petersburg
• Treasure Island
• Tierra Verde
• Gulfport
• Snell Isle
• Coquina Key
• South Pasadena
• Old Northeast
• St. Pete Beach
• Bayway Isles and surrounding communities

We’re a local team with deep roots in this area — not a big franchise or third-party company.

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You Don’t Need to Be Here to Take Care of Your Home

That’s the beauty of a trusted home watch service. While you’re enjoying life up north or focused on your work elsewhere, we’re right here — walking your property, running your water, checking your systems, and making sure everything stays just the way you left it.

And if a problem ever does come up, you’ll be the first to know. Not the last.

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Schedule a Free Visit Before You Leave

If you’re planning to be away for a while — or if you already are — it’s not too late to set up protection for your home.

We’ll do a free walkthrough, answer your questions, and create a simple plan that fits your schedule and your budget.

📞 Call us today at 781-290-9780
📧 Or click here to schedule your free visit

In Good Hands Home Watch is trusted by homeowners all over St. Pete and the Gulf Coast. We’re here to make sure your home stays just as you left it.

Because when it comes to your Tampa Bay home, out of sight should never mean out of mind.