The home watch industry, long a quiet niche in the real estate world, is gaining visibility as second-home ownership grows and more homeowners seek professional oversight for properties they can't personally monitor. Clem McDavid, founder of HomeLedger, whose Watch Tower software platform supports home watch operators across eight states, notes a clear geographic spread: the heaviest concentration is in Florida and Arizona, with additional customers in North Carolina, New York, and Colorado.
McDavid attributes this expansion to post-pandemic shifts in property ownership. Many people who bought or kept vacation homes during the pandemic are now realizing they lack the time or inclination to maintain properties they don't occupy full-time. This gap has created a surge in demand for home watch services, which provide periodic checks and reports on vacant or seasonal homes.
However, the industry's growth has also attracted questionable players. McDavid warns that some marketing operations appear legitimate online but have no actual service behind them—they generate leads without ever performing a visit. He compares these to "ghost kitchens" that advertise dishes they can't cook. As homeowners and operators become wary of such setups, those with genuine, documented service histories stand out even more, he says.
Beyond traditional vacation homes, McDavid sees home watch extending to primary residences. Younger homeowners, in particular, are increasingly interested in hiring someone to check on their homes periodically and flag maintenance issues, simply because they are busy and would rather pay for help than spend weekends on chores. This broadens the customer base well beyond coastal seasonal markets.
The market also shows diversity in pricing and service levels. McDavid notes that a separate company already serves ultra-high-net-worth estates with full-time staff, drivers, and household management—a far higher price point than typical home watch services. HomeLedger has customers who coordinate high-end property services, such as stocking homes before arrivals or timing seasonal upkeep. This indicates the category has room across a wide range of home values and service tiers.
For McDavid, the common thread across all markets is the need for reliable, documented oversight of absentee-owned properties. Operators who can prove they show up consistently are building durable businesses. As home watch continues to expand into new states and property types, McDavid expects those who invest in professionalism and accurate record-keeping now will be best positioned for future growth. More information on how HomeLedger supports this work is available on its resources page.
