The home watch industry, long operating in the background of real estate and property technology, is gaining prominence as absentee property ownership continues to rise. According to Clem McDavid, founder of HomeLedger, whose Watch Tower software platform supports home watch operators across eight states—with the heaviest concentration in Florida and Arizona, alongside customers in North Carolina, New York, and Colorado—the industry is expanding into new markets and property types.
McDavid attributes this growth to a surge in second home ownership following the pandemic. Many owners of vacation and seasonal properties are not equipped or interested in maintaining homes they do not occupy full-time. This has created a steady demand for professional home watch services that provide regular, documented checks on vacant properties.
The industry, however, is not without challenges. McDavid notes a recent influx of marketing operations that present themselves as legitimate home watch companies online but lack actual service capabilities. He compares these to ghost kitchens that advertise menu items they cannot prepare. As homeowners and operators face these fraudulent setups, the value of genuine, documented service histories becomes more pronounced. Companies that can prove they show up consistently are better positioned to build durable businesses.
Beyond traditional vacation homes, McDavid sees home watch demand extending to primary residences. Younger homeowners, often busy with careers and family, are increasingly willing to pay for periodic check-ins and maintenance coordination rather than spend weekends on property upkeep. This broadens the customer base well beyond seasonal coastal markets, opening opportunities for operators in urban and suburban areas across the country.
The market also demonstrates versatility at different price points. McDavid points to companies serving ultra-high-net-worth estates with full-time staff and household management, a segment distinct from typical home watch offerings. HomeLedger's customers include operators who coordinate high-end property services, such as stocking homes before owner arrivals and managing seasonal upkeep. This indicates that the category serves a wide range of home values and service levels, not just one niche.
For McDavid, the common thread across all markets is the need for absentee homeowners to have a reliable, documented eye on their property. As home watch expands into new states and property types, operators who invest in professionalism and robust record-keeping are expected to be best positioned for future growth. More information on how HomeLedger supports these efforts is available on its resources page.
The implications of this trend are significant for the real estate and property management industries. As more homeowners seek third-party oversight, the demand for accountable, tech-enabled services like Watch Tower is likely to increase. This could lead to greater standardization and professionalism in the home watch sector, benefiting both operators and property owners.
