Why Home Watch Demand Is Rising Across Florida, Arizona, and Beyond

Written by:

Heather Hook

Date:

11 Aug 2026

KeyCrew Studio

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The home watch industry has spent years operating quietly, mostly outside the notice of the broader real estate and property technology world. That is starting to shift, according to Clem McDavid, founder of HomeLedger, whose software platform Watch Tower now supports home watch operators across eight states, with the heaviest concentration in Florida and Arizona alongside customers in North Carolina, New York, and Colorado.

McDavid says the spread across states is a sign of where second home ownership itself is heading. More people bought or held on to vacation and second properties coming out of the pandemic, and many of those owners are not equipped, or interested, in maintaining a property they are not living in full time.

Real Companies in a Crowded Market

McDavid points out that the home watch space has recently attracted a wave of marketing operations that look like real companies online but have no actual service behind them, generating leads without ever performing a visit. He compares it to a ghost kitchen that advertises a menu item it has no ability to cook. He says that as operators and homeowners get burned by these setups, the ones with a genuine, documented service history stand out more, not less.

Beyond the Vacation Home

McDavid also sees home watch demand extending past the classic second home use case. He expects more younger homeowners to want the same kind of service for their primary residence, someone to check in periodically and flag what needs attention, simply because they are busy and would rather pay for the help than spend a weekend on it themselves. That widens the pool of potential customers well beyond seasonal coastal markets.

A Market With Room at Every Price Point

At the other end of the market, McDavid notes there is already a company serving ultra high net worth estates with full time staff, driver, and household management, a different price point entirely from what most home watch operators offer. HomeLedger has customers who work with high end clients on the property side of that same relationship, coordinating everything from stocking a home before an owner’s arrival to timing seasonal upkeep. McDavid sees that as evidence the category has room across a wide range of home values and service levels, not just one segment.

For McDavid, the throughline across every market HomeLedger enters is the same: absentee homeowners need a reliable, documented eye on their property, and the operators who can prove they show up consistently are the ones building durable businesses. More on how HomeLedger supports that work is available on its resources page.

As home watch keeps expanding into new states and new types of properties, McDavid expects the operators who invest in professionalism and reliable record keeping now to be the ones best positioned for whatever growth comes next.

HomeLedger is a property technology company focused on the home watch industry. Its Watch Tower platform is built for home watch operators managing vacant and seasonal properties on behalf of absent owners.

This article is based on information provided by the expert source cited above. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or real estate advice. Readers should conduct their own research and consult qualified professionals before making any real estate or financial decisions.

Disclosure: Individuals or companies mentioned may have a commercial relationship with KeyCrew.