Alarm systems give off a warning that something is wrong somewhere In the home. it can mean burglary, fire or just a false alarm. The alarm company will contact the client but what does that do? If the home is on fire that will be easy, the fire department will be called and off they go, but what if it's not a fire…what’s going on inside? There can be cameras, that will show if someone is intruding, but what if no one is seen. Because of the alarm, the police will be notified, even if there is no one intruding an intruder can’t be seen. The homeowner will wait for the police to arrive and inform them of what the situation is. But how long does that take? How will they get in? Officers will not go any further than the limits of access that is available to them. Neighbors, even with keys, aren’t always around or available to assist in these situations.

Now, let's go into the home and see what there is to see. The cameras say that everything is normal, nothing is moving, everything is in its place, the doors are locked, windows closed. All the appliances are asleep, the faucets are closed, the boiler is on vacation and the air conditioner are ready to go. Everything seems to be in order, or is it? The camera sees what it is pointed to, if there is a blind spot then the camera is blind. The camera may see the door, a window, maybe all the doors and all the windows, but are they locked or behind the pulled down shade are the windows broken? The appliances are standing at attention in their place, but underneath or behind them is water dripping down the pipes or hoses? Are the toilets running, costing a fortune beneath the lid neatly in place above the bowl? The truth is that there are smart devices that can help the absentee owner get a little closer to the unseen situation that have been mentioned.

Why hire a service like Golden West Home Watch? All of the situations above need to be followed up as soon as possible and with much more than a phone call from an alarm company or a smart phone that can read out what your computer devices are telling you. "Boots on the ground" are the most important part of keeping your home safe from problems. The malfunction of your appliances, water related plumbing issues, pests, developing problems of walls, floors ,ceilings, electrical cannot be detected from a camera. On the outside, overseeing the gardener, the pool service and the condition of your outside grounds from cement to trees, home walls to roof are very important for the well being of your investment while you are an absentee owner.

Basic Home Watch - Once per month, bi-weekly or weekly visual inspections:

• Lawn & landscaping

• Home exterior - security check, damage check, newspapers & flyers removed from outside, garage check/start, check mail box

• Home interior - ensure security system is working properly, doors, windows and sliders are locked and secure, check settings and record temperature of air conditioning/heating, ensure proper operation of smoke detectors and replace batteries if necessary

• Kitchen - check under sink for moisture, ensure refrigerator is working properly, run faucets, dishwasher and garbage disposal

• Utilities - inspect water heater and clothes washer

• Bathrooms - check under sink for moisture, check for leaks and moisture in showers & tub, flush toilets and check for leaks and add disinfectant and run all faucets

• Overall interior - water indoor/outdoor plants, check for mold and mildew throughout home, check for inspects and pests throughout home and check for water intrusion throughout home

• Patio & pool - check for damage, mold or fading of all patio furniture, sweep all debris from areas on patio, pool area, driveway, etc, check water level of swimming pool and spa