FAQs
What is Home Watch?
Home Watch is a professional service consisting of scheduled visual observation, photo documentation, and written reporting for unoccupied residential properties. Sound Estate Watch follows the National Home Watch Association (NHWA) definition of Home Watch as visual observation only.
What does a Home Watch visit include?
Each visit includes scheduled interior and exterior visual observation of accessible areas, timestamped photo documentation, and a written digital report describing visible conditions observed at the time of the visit.
Home Watch services are observational in nature and do not include testing, operation, diagnostics, repairs, or maintenance.
How is Home Watch different from property management or home inspection?
Home Watch is not property management and not a home inspection.
- We do not manage properties, tenants, or vendors
- We do not perform code inspections or technical evaluations
- We do not diagnose system performance
Home Watch provides documented visibility into property condition while a home is unoccupied.
Is Home Watch the same as a security or alarm company?
No. Sound Estate Watch does not provide security monitoring, alarm response, or 24/7 surveillance.
Home Watch involves scheduled physical visits to visually observe and document conditions. Alarm or security systems may be noted visually if present, but are not monitored.
How often are Home Watch visits performed?
Visit frequency is determined during onboarding based on property characteristics and owner preference. Common schedules include weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly visits.
What areas do you serve?
Sound Estate Watch operates within defined service routes throughout the Puget Sound region. Service availability is limited to properties located within active routes. Please refer to the Service Areas page for current coverage.
What happens if you observe a problem?
If a visible condition requires attention, we notify the owner with photo documentation and a written description. Owners remain fully responsible for decisions regarding next steps.
Sound Estate Watch does not authorize repairs or work without owner approval.
Do you perform repairs or maintenance?
No. Sound Estate Watch does not perform repairs, maintenance, diagnostics, or technical services.
With owner authorization, we may coordinate access for licensed vendors and provide visual condition documentation before and after access.
What is Estate Support & Authorized Coordination?
Estate Support services are available to active Home Watch clients and may include owner-authorized access coordination, arrival and departure confirmation, and condition documentation.
Estate Support services do not include supervision, project management, or responsibility for workmanship.
Do you enter the home during visits?
Yes. Interior walkthroughs are standard unless the client requests exterior-only service.
Do you look for mold, leaks, or system failures?
We observe and document visible indicators only. Home Watch does not include mold testing, moisture measurement, system diagnostics, or technical evaluation.
If concerning conditions are observed, they are documented and reported.
Do you respond during storms or outages?
Storm-related visits and post-event observations may be available to active clients based on safety, access conditions, and route feasibility. Availability is not guaranteed during severe events.
Are you insured?
Yes. Sound Estate Watch maintains appropriate General Liability and Errors & Omissions insurance for Home Watch services.
Are you accredited?
Sound Estate Watch is in the process of NHWA accreditation. Accreditation applies solely to Home Watch services consisting of visual observation, documentation, and reporting.
Do you perform background checks?
Yes. Personnel authorized to enter client properties undergo third-party background screening prior to access.
How do I get started?
Initial contact is used to confirm service availability and property fit. Once approved, an onboarding site visit and first month of service are billed prior to service activation.
Is my information kept confidential?
Yes. Client information, access details, and reports are handled confidentially and shared only as authorized by the client.
Important Notice
Home Watch services are limited to visual observation and documentation only. Sound Estate Watch does not guarantee the condition, performance, or security of any property or system.
