The home watch industry, long a quiet niche in the real estate and property technology sectors, is gaining prominence. According to Clem McDavid, founder of HomeLedger, whose Watch Tower software supports home watch operators across eight states, demand is rising in Florida, Arizona, and beyond. The heaviest concentrations are in Florida and Arizona, with customers also in North Carolina, New York, and Colorado. McDavid sees this geographic spread as a direct reflection of where second home ownership is heading. More people purchased or retained vacation and second properties after the pandemic, and many lack the time or inclination to maintain homes they don't occupy full time.
McDavid highlights a growing challenge in the industry: a wave of marketing operations that appear legitimate online but offer no real service. These 'ghost' companies generate leads without ever performing a visit, akin to a ghost kitchen advertising a dish it cannot cook. As homeowners and operators encounter these fraudulent setups, the value of genuine, documented service histories increases. McDavid asserts that operators with a proven track record stand out more, not less, in this crowded market.
Beyond the classic vacation home use case, McDavid anticipates demand extending to primary residences. Younger homeowners, he suggests, are increasingly interested in having someone check on their home periodically and flag maintenance issues, simply because they are busy and prefer to pay for assistance rather than spend weekends on chores. This expansion could widen the customer base well beyond seasonal coastal markets, making home watch a service for a broader demographic.
At the other end of the market, McDavid notes the existence of companies serving ultra-high-net-worth estates with full-time staff, drivers, and household management—a distinctly different price point from typical home watch services. HomeLedger has customers coordinating high-end property services, from stocking a home before an owner's arrival to timing seasonal upkeep. This indicates the category has room across a wide range of home values and service levels, not just one segment.
For McDavid, the common thread across every market HomeLedger enters is the need for absentee homeowners to have a reliable, documented eye on their property. Operators who consistently show up and maintain accurate records are building durable businesses. As home watch expands into new states and property types, those who invest in professionalism and reliable record-keeping now will be best positioned for future growth. HomeLedger's resources page offers more insight into how the company supports this work.
HomeLedger is a property technology company focused on the home watch industry. Its Watch Tower platform is designed for operators managing vacant and seasonal properties on behalf of absent owners. This article is based on information from the expert source cited and is intended for general informational purposes only, not as legal, financial, or real estate advice.
