Frequently Asked Questions

Home Watch is a professional, scheduled visual inspection of your unoccupied home. During each visit, we walk through the interior and exterior looking for obvious issues — water leaks, pest activity, storm damage, HVAC problems, signs of forced entry, and anything else that looks "off." After every visit, you receive a detailed, time-stamped report with photos, so you always know exactly what's happening at your home while you're away.

No. A house sitter lives in your home while you're gone. A Home Watch professional performs scheduled inspections and then leaves — your home stays secure, empty, and exactly as you left it. Home Watch is the right fit for homeowners who don't want a stranger sleeping in their house but still want eyes on the property.

They can, but it comes with real risks. Neighbors aren't insured or bonded, so if something goes wrong — a missed leak, an injury on your property, a dispute over lost items — you're exposed. They also don't have training in what to look for, don't carry professional liability coverage, and often get busy with their own lives. Cornerstone Home Watch is fully insured, bonded, and accredited through the National Home Watch Association, and checking on your home is our job, not a favor squeezed between other commitments.

Alarm systems are excellent at detecting break-ins, but they don't catch the things that damage most empty homes. An alarm won't alert you to a slow plumbing leak soaking your subfloor, a failed sump pump, mice chewing through wiring, ice dams on the roof, a tripped breaker that killed your freezer, or a furnace that went out in January. Home Watch and an alarm system work together — each catches what the other can't.

Most clients choose visits every 1–2 weeks. The National Home Watch Association recommends at least twice monthly for unoccupied homes, which is often enough to catch problems before they become expensive disasters. We'll help you choose a frequency that fits your home, travel schedule, and insurance requirements.

We contact you immediately with photos and a description of what we found. You decide how you'd like to proceed — whether that's calling your plumber, authorizing us to coordinate a repair, or meeting a contractor at the property on your behalf. We never make unilateral decisions about your home.

It's worth asking your agent. Many insurance carriers have tightened their rules around vacant and unoccupied homes, and some now require documented periodic inspections to keep coverage in force. A claim denial on an empty home can be financially devastating. We're happy to provide documentation your insurer can use.

Every standard visit includes a full walkthrough of the interior and exterior, checks for water leaks and moisture issues, verification that HVAC and major systems are functioning, a look for signs of pests or wildlife intrusion, confirmation that doors and windows are secure, and collection of any mail, packages, or flyers that have accumulated. You'll receive a complete photo report after each visit.

Yes. In addition to Home Watch, we offer concierge services like pre-arrival home preparation, refrigerator and pantry stocking, contractor access and oversight, storm preparation and post-storm inspections, and package or mail handling. Have a unique request? Just ask.

We serve all of Sussex County, NJ and Warwick, NY. This includes Highland Lakes, Vernon, Sparta, Lake Mohawk, Hopatcong, Newton, Hamburg, Franklin, Andover, Stillwater, Wantage, Montague, and surrounding communities. If you're not sure whether we cover your area, just give us a call.

Two things. First, Cornerstone is the only National Home Watch Association–accredited provider based in Sussex County, which means we meet national standards for insurance, bonding, ethics, and training. Second, founder Kathleen Davis brings over 30 years of real estate expertise to every client relationship. She knows these homes, these lake communities, and this county.

The easiest way is to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. Kathleen will visit your home, walk through your specific concerns, and recommend the right service plan. Call (973) 922-9557 or email kathleen@cornerstonehomewatch.com to set it up.