A home watch visit is only as good as its checklist. A quick drive-by tells you the house is still standing; a full inspection tells you the boiler is running, the basement is dry, and no storm door has been banging in the wind for a week. This is the checklist we work from at Southampton houses — use it yourself, or use it to judge whether the service you're paying for is thorough enough.
Exterior
- Walk the full perimeter — siding, trim, and cedar shingles for damage or lifting
- Roofline, gutters, and leaders — sagging, blockages, ice damming in winter
- All doors and windows secure, no signs of forced entry or animal intrusion
- Decks, railings, and outdoor stairs sound underfoot
- Downed limbs, leaning trees, and anything touching the roof or wires
- Pool area secure, cover intact, gates latched
- Driveway gate, exterior lighting, and irrigation heads intact
Interior
- Every room walked, every ceiling checked for stains or new cracks
- Under every sink, behind toilets, around the water heater — any sign of moisture
- Thermostats verified against actual room temperature
- Humidity levels appropriate — critical for artwork, millwork, and instruments
- Refrigerators, freezers, and wine storage running at temperature
- Windows and doors locked from the inside; alarm set on departure
- No odors suggesting gas, mildew, or pests
Systems
- Heating system cycled and confirmed running; burner area inspected
- Electrical panel checked for tripped breakers
- Sump pump tested; basement and crawl spaces inspected for water
- Generator exercised or its self-test log verified
- Water main, well pump, or filtration status confirmed
- Alarm, cameras, and leak sensors communicating properly
After Every Visit
Each visit should end with a dated, photographed report sent to the owner — not for ceremony, but because documentation is what turns "we check the house" into evidence your insurer and your peace of mind can rely on. Anything found gets flagged with a recommendation, and nothing gets repaired without your sign-off.
If you'd rather hand this list to someone whose job it is, our property management services in Southampton include scheduled home watch with exactly this level of detail, performed personally by our principal broker.