Frequently Asked Questions
Cape Cod Home Watch Services
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Whether you're away for a few weeks or an entire season, it's natural to have questions about who is looking after your property. Here are answers to some of the questions we hear most often.
What is a home watch service?
A home watch service provides scheduled visits to an unoccupied property to check its condition and identify visible concerns.
Cape Sentinel offers professional interior and exterior property walkthroughs, digital photo reports and local coordination when something needs attention.
Our services are designed for seasonal and second-home owners who want reliable oversight while they're away.
How is home watch different from property management?
Traditional property management often involves managing rental properties, tenants, bookings and ongoing property operations.
Cape Sentinel focuses on watching over your home while you're away. We conduct scheduled property checks, document observations, notify you of concerns and help coordinate maintenance or repairs when needed.
We aren't a rental management company. We're your eyes on the ground when you can't be there.
How often should someone check on my Cape Cod vacation home?
We generally recommend weekly home watch visits for seasonal and second-home owners.
Regular visits provide opportunities to identify visible concerns, monitor changes in property conditions and address issues before they go unnoticed for extended periods.
Cape Sentinel also offers individual visits and additional checks when needed.
What does Cape Sentinel check during a property visit?
Our home watch visits include interior and exterior walkthroughs.
We look for visible signs of water intrusion, property damage, security concerns, maintenance needs and other conditions that may require attention.
Each visit includes digital photo documentation and notification of identified concerns.
Will I receive a report after each visit?
Yes. Cape Sentinel provides digital photo reports documenting property observations.
Reports can be accessed through our mobile reporting application or shared by email, helping you stay informed about your home's condition wherever you are.
Storms, Winter Weather & Emergencies
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Can someone check on my Cape Cod home after a nor'easter?
Yes. Cape Sentinel offers pre- and post-storm property checks for seasonal and second-home owners.
Following a storm, we can visit your property, document visible conditions and notify you of concerns that may require attention.
Visits depend on safe property access and scheduling availability.
What happens if my home is damaged while I'm away?
If we identify visible damage or another urgent concern, we'll contact you and help determine appropriate next steps.
Depending on the situation, Cape Sentinel can coordinate with local authorities, utilities or qualified contractors and provide documentation of observed conditions.
Repairs are performed by third-party service providers.
Can Cape Sentinel check my home during the winter?
Yes. Our home watch services are available year-round, including the winter months when seasonal properties may be unoccupied for extended periods.
Regular property checks can help identify visible signs of leaks, heating concerns, storm damage and other winter-related issues.
Can I request a property check before a major storm?
Yes. Cape Sentinel offers pre-storm property visits, subject to scheduling availability.
These visits provide an opportunity to observe the property's condition before severe weather arrives and identify visible concerns that may need attention.
Pricing & Scheduling
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How much does a home watch service cost on Cape Cod?
Cape Sentinel offers introductory home watch pricing for properties up to 3,500 square feet:
Single Visit: $99
Monthly Plan: $350 for four visits
Each visit includes an interior and exterior walkthrough and digital photo report.
For larger homes, an additional $25 per visit applies for each additional 1,000 square feet.
Contact us to discuss your property's specific needs.
Do I have to sign up for a monthly plan?
No. Cape Sentinel offers individual home watch visits as well as recurring monthly service.
Our monthly plan is designed for homeowners who want consistent oversight, while single visits provide flexibility for occasional needs.
What Cape Cod towns does Cape Sentinel serve?
Cape Sentinel serves seasonal and second-home owners throughout much of Cape Cod, including Chatham, Orleans, Brewster, Harwich, Dennis, Yarmouth, Barnstable, Osterville, Sandwich, Bourne, Mashpee and Falmouth.
If your property is outside these areas, contact us to discuss availability. Additional travel fees may apply.
Trust, Security & Property Care
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Who will be checking on my property?
Cape Sentinel is led by Christopher J. Arone, a retired federal law enforcement professional and licensed private investigator, working alongside experienced local property professionals.
Our team combines investigative experience, local knowledge and professional documentation practices to provide dependable property oversight.
Is Cape Sentinel insured and bonded?
Yes. Cape Sentinel identifies itself as insured and bonded, providing an additional level of professional accountability for homeowners.
Can Cape Sentinel coordinate repairs or maintenance while I'm away?
Yes. If your property requires maintenance or repairs, Cape Sentinel can help identify appropriate local contractors and coordinate work on your behalf.
Vendor coordination and project oversight are generally billed at 15% of coordinated work costs.
Third-party contractor charges are separate.
Can Cape Sentinel's reports help if I need to file an insurance claim?
Our digital photo reports provide a documented record of observed property conditions and identified concerns.
This documentation may be useful when discussing damage or maintenance issues with your insurance provider.
Coverage decisions and claim requirements are determined by your insurance company. drag, all drive.