The home watch industry, long operating in the shadows of real estate and property technology, is now gaining visibility as demand for property oversight services rises across the United States. Clem McDavid, founder of HomeLedger, notes that his company's Watch Tower software platform now supports home watch operators in eight states, with the heaviest concentration in Florida and Arizona, alongside customers in North Carolina, New York, and Colorado.
McDavid attributes this geographic spread to broader trends in second-home ownership. The pandemic sparked a surge in vacation property purchases, and many owners are not equipped or interested in maintaining properties they do not occupy full-time. This has created a growing need for professional home watch services that provide regular inspections and maintenance coordination.
However, the industry is not without challenges. McDavid points to a wave of marketing operations that present themselves as legitimate home watch companies but lack actual service capabilities. These "ghost kitchen" operations generate leads without ever performing a visit, leaving homeowners and operators frustrated. As a result, genuine companies with documented service histories are becoming more valuable, not less.
Beyond the traditional vacation home market, McDavid sees home watch demand extending to primary residences. Younger homeowners, often pressed for time, are increasingly willing to pay for periodic check-ins and property maintenance rather than spend weekends on household tasks. This shift broadens the potential customer base beyond seasonal coastal markets.
The market also shows room at various price points. McDavid notes that some companies serve ultra-high-net-worth estates with full-time staff and household management, while HomeLedger customers often coordinate high-end property services, such as stocking homes before owner arrivals and timing seasonal upkeep. This diversity indicates the category's appeal across a wide range of home values and service levels.
For McDavid, the common thread across all markets is the need for reliable, documented oversight of absentee-owned properties. Operators who can prove they consistently show up are building durable businesses. As home watch continues to expand into new states and property types, McDavid believes those investing in professionalism and accurate record-keeping will be best positioned for future growth.
HomeLedger, a property technology company, supports home watch operators through its Watch Tower platform, designed for managing vacant and seasonal properties on behalf of absent owners. For more information, visit the resources page.
