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Stay up to date with the National Home Watch Association and the Home Watch Industry.

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Not all companies that claim to be Members, actually are...



Greetings and Salutations,

Allow me to explain...

Back in 2009, I was faxed an application to become a "certified Home Watch professional" by a company out of Fort Myers, FL. The cost: $10.00. I called the head of the association, and was told that he had just raised the price of "certification" to $65.00. Certification consisted of a document with a gold sticker...poof, you're certified. As luck would have it, this gentleman, who is a very nice man, offered to sell me the National Home Watch Association, Inc., of Fort Myers, FL. Well, I spoke with my attorney, my accountant, and my wife, and bought the association, only to close it down immediately. Although it still may show up in records in Florida, the old NHWA, Inc. has been defunct since 2009. After one and a half years of research, planning and conversations with other Home Watch companies from across the country, The National Home Watch Association, of Murrells Inlet, SC, was launched. With a clear vision and detailed plan for accrediting Home Watch companies, our website was launched.

Our first order of business was to contact all of the "certified" members of the old association. When I reached out, I explained that in order to become accredited by the new NHWA, they would have to pass muster under actual guidelines and vetting. These vetting requirements included that their company must carry general liability insurance, bonding, and adhere to a code of ethics. This requirement alone eliminated eligibility for more than half of these "certified" home watchers. I offered membership to the rest of these people at the regular fee, minus whatever they had paid for their initial "certification." Only one of these companies applied for accreditation and actually gained it. A few thought that their $10.00 fee was for a lifetime membership.

The reason that I bring this up now is that some of these "certified" home watchers are still advertising as members of the NHWA. They are, for the most part, displaying the old logo: a green house with lettering. Please be advised that these companies are not accredited by us. Anyone that has this green logo paid $10.00 to get certified! Now I ask you, what kind of company is proud enough to brag that they paid $10.00 four years ago for professional accreditation. Check their insurance, and ask about background checks for their people. To be clear, I am sure that some of these companies do fine work. Just because they are not accredited by us does not mean that they are bad companies. It's just important to differentiate between the old and the new. We have also asked that they stop using the Association's name.

The actual National Home Watch Association was formed in 2010in South Carolina, charged with the goal of creating standards and guidelines for the Home Watch industry in the US and Canada. All of our Members are vetted for insurance, consumer affairs complaints, operating practices, and must agree to adhere to our Code of Ethics and Mission Statement. Our Members have gained accreditation in order to separate their companies from under- and uninsured and non-bonded Home Watch companies operating in their areas.  

As the sergeant from "Hill Street Blues" used to say: "Let's be careful out there."

As always, I wish you,

Much success,


Jack

Friday, October 26, 2012

Checkmate Home Watch of Naples, FL, Joins the NHWA!


Building his business based on his "client-first" attitude, Jeff Morrow, Owner of Checkmate Home Watch of Naples, FL, has become an Accredited Member of the NHWA. It only made sense. In an area like Naples, Florida, customer service and reputation mean everything. I have spent time in Naples (including a foggy evening at Tommy Bahama), and I can tell you first hand that if you are gonna talk the talk, you'd better walk the walk. Jeff does just that. Servicing clients in Port Royal, Park Shore, Pelican Bay and the like, his clients demand top-notch service. Jeff's 22-year work history as a golf course superintendent at country clubs throughout Florida lends to his meticulous and attentive service.

Jeff Morrow of Checkmate Home Watch
Jeff  was born in Cleveland, Ohio, but is an adopted native of Florida; he has been a full-time resident of Naples since 2000. Jeff and his wife enjoy boating, art shows and cultural events in Southwest Florida.

Checkmate serves the City of Naples and the communities of Collier County. Jeff can be reached at jeff@CheckmateHomeWatch.com, or you can visit his website at www.checkmatehomewatch.com

Welcome, Jeff! We wish you

Much success,

Jack


Vive Las Vegas! Home Watcher LV Joins the NHWA!




JP Lalonde, owner of Home Watcher LV of Las Vegas, NV, has become an Accredited Member of the NHWA. A native of Montreal, JP is a former General Motors employee who worked his way up to becoming Engineering and Maintenance Director for the automotive giant. Retiring early after a 30-year career, he moved his family to Las Vegas. JP became involved in his community and served on the board of his homeowners association. The problems that his HOA exposed him to, and the fact that he had neighbors and friends who had asked him to "keep an eye on the place," made him realize that he had a business opportunity right in front of him.

VoilĂ ! Home Watcher LV was born.



JP and I began communicating a few months back, and we hit it off immediately. His experience and commitment to his clients are evident when you speak with him. JP has taken his accreditation seriously, and believes in protecting our industry from un- and under-insured and sketchy companies in his area. Now, I watch CSI, so I've seen quite a few sketchy characters in Vegas.
  
JP and his company offer "Bon Voyage" and "Welcome Back" services, as well as handyman, and even services for your computer and Apple products. Home Watcher LV serves homeowners of the Greater Las Vegas Metropolitan area, including the City of Henderson, North Las Vegas, and the Community of Summerlin. Visit his website at www.HomeWatcherLV.com Or give him a call at (702) 767-4175.

Welcome to the NHWA, JP, and we wish you 

Bon chance,

Jack




Coastal Carolina Home Watch opens in Charleston, SC.


Greetings and salutations.

As you may know, in addition to being the Executive Director of the NHWA, I am also the owner of Coastal Carolina Home Watch. I founded my company in 2005, and have been operating on South Carolina's Grand Strand, which encompasses Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet and Pawleys Island, as well as surrounding towns. CCHW is, without a doubt, the preeminent Home Watch service in the area, and is the founding member of the NHWA. I am very proud of my company's reputation and growth over the years. Many people have asked me about the possibility of franchising CCHW, and though I have never really given it serious thought, it did get me thinking about opening another location. The more I thought about that, I realized that the Charleston area would be the place to expand to. For those not familiar with this incredible area, you are missing out on someplace very special. As a matter of fact, Conde' Nast Traveler Magazine has named Charleston, SC, the Top City in the US! The Greater Charleston area encompasses stunning beach side island towns like Isle of Palms, Sullivan's Island, James Island, Seabrook, and the incredible Kiawah Island. Other surrounding areas include Johns Island, Daniel Island, and Mount Pleasant. Then, of course, is Charleston itself: an historical gem with a true Southern flair, home to some of the most wonderful and unique restaurants in the world. The beauty of this city shines through on many levels: architecturally, gastronomically, and historically.  But mostly, it is the friendliness and hospitality of Charlestonians that make this place so warm and attractive. And so, in July I took the plunge and began setting up Coastal Carolina Home Watch in Mount Pleasant, SC, which is located just across the Ravenel Bridge from Charleston. Our location is perfect for getting in and out of the city, and also makes it easy to get to those beach towns and islands. We have our marketing in place, and have been very busy working with the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors, the Lowcountry Business Network, and the Mount Pleasant Business Association to get traction and educate the area about Home Watch.


As a matter of fact, here is a picture of Michelle "Micki" Mustain (Charleston Area Account Manager) and I working very hard at a networking event. Pay no attention to those wine glasses in our hands. Work, work, and more work. Well, all work and no play makes Jack a dull....never mind.




Anyway, I am excited and very confident about our new location. Give Micki or me a call if we can be of service. Micki's mobile is (843) 318-0813, and mine is (843) 458-7103. Our website is www.cchomewatch.com.  If you'd like to speak with Sarah (my right hand ma--er, woman at CCHW), call the office at (843) 357-4440. And I can't forget Ginger Moore (Home Watch specialist on the Grand Strand) at (843) 458-7104. I will keep you posted.  As always, I wish y'all

Much success,


Jack

Friday, October 12, 2012

Is your business ready for the upcoming season? And, Life Made Easy Home Watch of Cape Coral, FL



Greetings and salutations.

Depending on where you are, the upcoming season is when homeowners will either be coming or going. Some will be short absences and others long. So the question is: "Should I be marketing for new clients?" As far as I am concerned, you should always be marketing. Yes, advertising is expensive, and yes, there are no guarantees. That being said, you can reach new clientele all the time, and if you can't...you are doing something wrong. How's your website? How fresh is your database? If your website is four years old or older, it's time to remake it. There are those who think that four years is too long. While I tend to agree, I also realize the cost involved in the change. Be smart the next time you tune it up. Have your webmaster design it so there is room to expand and change out images or video easily. Do you blog? How about social media? Are you on LinkedIn? If you are--like I was (and still am, a lot of times)--confused, intimidated and just plain scared of a lot of this new stuff, the sad reality is that there is no getting around it. All of this technology is here to stay. And we have to embrace it, otherwise we'll get left in the dust. I just redid my company website for Coastal Carolina Home Watch, www.cchomewatch.com. It's fresh, colorful, and eye-catching, and it conveys my current services and message. I also have good SEO, which increases my unique visitors, lowers my bounce rate, and keeps people on my site longer. It has also increased my click-throughs. Accredited members of the NHWA have special access to a webmaster and designer who has lots of experience and know-how in the world of Home Watch websites and SEO. We have discussions concerning this and a whole lot of other subjects and issues. You could be a part of this national discussion about our service industry and how we can help one another to grow our businesses.

One couple who joined us a few months back opened up Life Made Easy of Cape Coral, Florida. Cindy and Jerry McKay left Wisconsin about 12 years ago and moved to Cape Coral. Owning and maintaining their own rental properties gave them hands-on experience in home maintenance. Adding Jerry's 30+ year career in the appliance industry, customer service and landscaping experience, and Cindy's administrative talents made starting Life Made Easy a "no-brainer". In 2011, the couple founded Life Made Easy. Dedicating themselves and their Home Watch business to the very highest standards, their clients get to experience Cindy and Jerry's professionalism. Life Made Easy serves Cape Coral and the surrounding Pine Island area. They can be reached at 239-770-5618, or you can visit their Web site at www.lifemadeasy.net.



Much success,


Jack








Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Dana Salo of Salo Home Watch is coming to visit me.

Greetings and salutations to all.

There are a lot of people who reach out to us at the NHWA. I am very happy that Dana Salo is one of them. Dana is still employed with the USPS, but has been growing Salo Home Watch of Cape Ann, MA, as he gets closer to his retirement. He sees his Home Watch service as additional income for now and in his retirement years. Because Dana looks to do everything by the book and maintain incredibly high standards, Dana joined the NHWA, worked with our start-up guide, and proceeded to cover all of his bases. His company carries not only general liability and bonding, but professional liability (E&O) as well.


In case you don't know, the state of Massachusetts requires Home Watch companies to hold a license through the State Police in order to operate legally. This involves background and criminal checks, and certifies that all is above board. (Jon Clark, of Nauset Management, has held this license for many years.) Anyway, Dana gained his accreditation by the NHWA and has recently been re-accredited for the second straight year. One of things that I really appreciate about Dana is that he stays in touch with us here, and is always sharing information that he gathers about our industry. It is information like this that allows the Association to share pertinent information and ideas with all of its members. Well, Dana has been bugging me to come down and pick my brain for over a year. When I finally ran out of excuses (ha ha), he made plans to come down to SC, and will be here in November. I am truly looking forward to it.

Dana is married to his wife Karen, and has two daughters: Meredith, 20, and Kirsten,16. All of us here at the NHWA look forward to a long relationship with Dana and Salo Home Watch, which covers Cape Ann and the North Shore of Massachusetts. His web address is salohomewatch.com.  As always, I wish you all

Much success,

Jack

Monday, October 8, 2012

Dan Kruger - Las Vegas Home Watchers

Greetings and salutations!

Congratulations to Dan and Ginni Kruger of Las Vegas Home Watchers for earning their NHWA accreditation for the second year in a row. Dan and Ginni opened their Home Watch business in 2008 after Dan finished up a 34-year corporate career. A graduate of the University of Nebraska, he learned how to keep clients satisfied with his positive, "can do" attitude. Ginni has been Dan's partner in business and life for over 40 years. They have three children and one grandchild. And so, Las Vegas Home Watchers is a family-owned and -run business whose motto is: Do the Right thing, the Right way, at the Right time, in the Right place, to the Right person, for the Right reason, with the Right feeling ... the First time. Dan is a huge Atlanta Braves fan and is very active in local service organizations,  Dan and Ginni's other love is travel. They have been to all 50 states and have visited five out of seven continents. Dan serves on the Advisory Board of the NHWA. I do have one question for Dan. Who watches your home while You are traveling?




Dan and Ginni can be reached at (702) 493-2755 or info@lasvegashomewatchers.com. Visit their website at www.LasVegasHomeWatchers.com. They serve Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and the City of Henderson. Best of luck, Dan and Ginni!

Much success,


Jack

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Lots happening...lots to talk about.

Greetings and salutations.

Can you say Alaska? How about Montana? New York? The NHWA has just added Alaska's Kenai Peninsula and the Hamptons on New York's Long Island to our membership. We are  also set to introduce the new Member in Montana this week. I will be blogging about these new businesses in the coming days. You will also be reading about new Members in Florida, Nevada, Massachusetts, California and Virginia. We are thrilled about our new Members, and those who have earned their accreditations for their second year.

I have been very busy with Association business. The NHWA has been contacted by representatives from the insurance industry, and questions are being asked and answered. January 2013 begins our official efforts with the US Census Bureau to get Home Watch its very own NAICS code. This will actually get our industry its own classification, paving the way for recognition from insurance companies. We are becoming known as the information source for the Home Watch industry. I am currently sharing the information that I am learning with our Members. I will say it again: If you have a Home Watch/absentee homeowner services company, it is in your company's best interest to get involved in the NHWA. We are growing and being approached for information by those who seek it. Our website is getting 1100-1200 hits per month, and many of these people are looking for accredited companies in their locales. We get inquiries from all over the US and Canada. For those of you operating in states where people leave to go to their secondary locations, those people need Home Watch for their primary residences while they are gone. If you already have a Home Watch business, get accredited...or, if you don't, start a new business. Over 25 new companies have opened and become Accredited Members by using the NHWA Guide to Starting a Home Watch Business.

More Members equal a louder voice. A louder voice means being heard by the insurance, real estate and mortgage industries. The NHWA needs your voice, and we need your input.  There are a lot of benefits to membership. Our redesigned website will be an even better marketing vehicle for your business. Give me a call. Let me answer your questions. Until then, I wish you

Much success,


Jack