services
Services For the Absentee Home Owner
Home watch is NOT house sitting or property management. A home watch service is specifically focused on ensuring that home stays in good working condition and that maintenance issues are identified and addressed keeping damage that can be caused by deferred maintenance, weather related events and plumbing, electrical or climate control related catastrophes to a minimum.
We develop our services around industry best practices as prescribed by the National Home Watch Association and your wants and needs based on your property.
The following is an overview of our services. Please contact us to discuss specific details of your requirements!
Comprehensive Home Watch Services for Absentee Owners
We check:
- forced entry/vandalism/storm damage/signs of pests and animal intrusion/unusual odors or noises
- water leaks/damage/signs of mold or mildew/test and inspect all water features (sinks, showers, toilets)/ensure main water is off post test
- hot water tank/ensure breaker is off
- AC/thermostat settings/operation/filters/drain lines
- Electrical panel/tripped breakers/inspect and test smoke detectors/change batteries when needed
- Perimeter – lanai/pool/cage/screens/irrigation system/fencing
- Interior humidity levels/temperature/refrigerator/freezer settings and operation
- All windows are closed and secured
- Operation of interior/exterior lighting/collect mail/newspapers/remove debris/verify lawn & pool maintenance
- Immediate notification of any concerns or issues that may be identified
- Detailed electronic reports sent direct to clients
Concierge/ Key Holder
- Secure deliveries and packages, meet emergency response, coordinate, and meet vendor/service providers and contractors
- Monitor home projects, remodels, or repairs, while you are away, sending photos and updates of the progress
- Boats/lifts, we can check your boats and lifts, and schedule cleanings
- Clean perishables out of the refrigerator upon departure
- Restock the refrigerator prior to arrival
- Start cars/check trickle chargers
- Modem reboot for smart homes
- Mail Forwarding
- Open & Prep Home For Owner or Guest Arrivals
- Close Down Home After Owner or Guest Departs
- Renter Check-In & Check-Out Walk Through (before and or after rental periods)
- Trash & Recycling Bins Service (place bins out to the curb for pick up or bring bins in)
Storm Services for Home Watch clients Only
Pre-Storm Preparation (available up to 16 hours prior to storm landing on a first call, first serve basis)
Included in this service: exterior inspection, secure lanai furniture and grills, verify landscaping is not against or over the home, ensure automatic storm shutters are lowered, shut down HVAC for the duration of the event, prep pools and spas, and, upon request, provide assistance coordinating storm shutter installation if necessary (we are not a storm shutter installation provider)
Post-Storm Property Checks
When a storm rolls through Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton, or Sarasota, a quick response makes all the difference. As your local husband-and-wife team living right here, we offer fast, thorough post-storm checks to protect absentee owners.
We arrive as soon as conditions are safe, inspecting both the interior and exterior for wind damage, water intrusion, roof issues, flooding, fallen debris, pool/spa condition, and early signs of mold.
You’ll receive an immediate email report with timestamped photos, GPS notes, and clear recommendations—ready for insurance claims or repairs. If urgent fixes are needed (tarping, boarding, vendor calls), we coordinate them promptly and keep you updated with progress photos.
We know our local weather patterns and respond quickly when it matters most.
We’re here to secure your home when you can’t be.
Hourly rates apply
Vacation Rental Support Services
As absentee owners ourselves with deep roots in real estate, we understand the unique challenges of managing a vacation rental property in the Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton, and Sarasota area—especially when you’re not on-site.
We provide reliable “boots on the ground” support for homeowners who self-manage their vacation rentals (via Airbnb, VRBO, or direct bookings) and need a trusted local partner to ensure the property delivers that perfect Florida getaway experience.
Our services help protect your investment, minimize downtime, and keep guests happy—reducing bad reviews and encouraging repeat bookings.
Typical offerings include:
- Pre-Arrival “Ready Check” Inspection: A thorough walkthrough before each guest arrival to spot and resolve any issues (e.g., interior/exterior condition, appliances, cleanliness oversight from cleaners, pool/spa readiness, lighting/AC settings). We deliver an immediate email report with timestamped photos and notes, so you have peace of mind and can address anything remotely.
- Post-Departure Inventory & Condition Check: After guests leave, we conduct a detailed review of furniture, linens, kitchenware, electronics, and decor. We document any damage, missing items, or wear (e.g., broken plates, missing artwork, scuffed walls) with photos, helping you catch issues early before they become costly or affect future bookings.
- Repair & Vendor Coordination: If something needs fixing, we handle it: Contact trusted local vendors, oversee repairs, and provide updates/photos. We aim to quickly prepare your property for guests, minimizing lost rental income.
- Florida Vacation Touches: We ensure the home feels welcoming and “Florida-fresh”—from restocking essentials to minor staging tweaks that enhance guest satisfaction and reviews.
All visits are GPS-tracked, documented with photos, and aligned with our NHWA-accredited standards for professionalism and transparency. This add-on integrates seamlessly with our core home watch services, giving you one trusted team for year-round care.
Ready to add this layer of protection and professionalism to your vacation rental? Contact us for a free consultation—we’re here to make ownership easier and more rewarding!
Fitz Florida Team: Your Husband-and-Wife Real Estate Partners
We’re Tom and Elizabeth Fitzpatrick—the same husband-and-wife team you trust with Elite Home Watchers—now bringing that same personal care to real estate as the Fitz Florida Team.
Licensed in Florida (and formerly in Tennessee and Georgia), we guide clients through every step of buying, selling, or investing in Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton, Sarasota, and surrounding communities. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, relocating, seeking a vacation home, or building an investment portfolio, we handle the process with attention to detail, local insight, and genuine support.
Our real estate experience pairs perfectly with our home watch background: after your purchase, when you’re away, we’re right here to keep an eye on your property with our trusted home watch services.
We live and work here every day, so your success in Florida matters to us. Ready to start your next chapter? Contact us for a no-pressure conversation—we’re here to make it smooth and successful.
Water Filtration Consultation
As part of our passion for health and wellness centered on family and home, Tom Fitzpatrick—certified water treatment representative—offers expert consultation for whole-house water filtration and reverse osmosis (RO) systems.
Florida’s water often contains hard minerals, chlorine, sulfur odors, and other contaminants that can affect taste, skin health, appliances, and overall daily comfort. When we moved to Lakewood Ranch, we quickly installed a whole-house filtration system, an RO unit, and an instant hot dispenser to ensure clean, safe water for our family. It made an immediate, noticeable improvement in our health and quality of life.
Tom brings that same firsthand experience to help you evaluate and address your local water challenges with personalized recommendations tailored to your home and water conditions. He can guide you through the best options during a consultation and, if you’re ready to move forward, schedule professional installation.
Whether you’re protecting your investment property or simply want better-tasting, healthier water straight from every tap, Tom is here to help.
Contact Tom for a free water quality consultation—prioritizing your family’s health and wellness starts with the water you use every day.
Our Reporting System
We utilize best in class reporting system that is secured, GPS enabled and integrated so to keep communication streamlined and concise. All of the reports are backed up, easily reviewable and retrievable. Photographs will be embedded in the reports with notes. Inspection reports will be sent at the conclusion of each visit with invoices once monthly.
Please review the video for more information.