We've come a long way, baby!



Jack Luber
Executive Director
 

This is a repost of a blog that I wrote over two years ago. It pertains to the difficulties that many Home Watch companies experience while trying to obtain insurance. Not only is this still an issue with regard to the disparity in pricing, but once you have it, will it actually cover what your HW service actually does? Since this was posted in July of 2011, the NHWA has been working diligently to rectify this. A few months back we were able to get a national insurance provider to develop an actual Home Watch general liability policy...at an affordable price!  Although there have been a number of policies issued already, the policy will be officially launched at this October's NHWA 1st Annual Conference. I urge all Home Watch companies to review their current policy and make sure that it is relevant to your service. - Jack

(first posted 7/16/2011)

Hello all.

Why do certain insurance companies know what we do, and others don't? Why are some insurance premiums realistic, and others ridiculous? I think I know why. Any ideas? I've said it before and I'll say it again: In my opinion, most insurance companies have no idea what a Home Watch company is or does. We are called so many different things, that these companies stick us into whichever category works for them. Riddle me this, Batman: Right now in Indiana, there is a home inspector who has been trying to get insurance for his new Home Watch business. His broker has been presenting him with crazy numbers for premiums. The cost of the premiums he is looking at is too prohibitive for him to start up. Let me say that again: He's a home inspector! Hello? The man has a home inspection business. What is the problem?

I remember the hoops I had to jump through with my company when I first started Coastal Carolina Home Watch in 2005,  I had to present all of my literature, answer a lot of questions, explain the human g-nome theory, and then sweat it out while awaiting the company's decision as to whether to insure me or not. And then I had to accept their terms. But hey, that was years ago. Certainly by now our industry would be recognized by insurance providers. I guess not.

For those of you who read my blog and visit the NHWA Website, I thank you. I hope that you all are starting to realize how important it is for us to come together. This Association was formed to raise the standards and establish a level of excellence by our member companies conducting business in a highly ethical manner. A major goal of this organization is to connect with insurance providers and get this industry recognized. That accomplished, we will work towards lowering premiums for accredited members. Once the dialogue has begun, we will work to obtain discounts for homeowners who employ accredited companies to care for their homes. A good selling point for our services? We all agree that if a homeowner gets a discount for a security system, then shouldn't having a company that actually reponds to the alarm qualify them also? If the alarm goes off and they are 800 miles away, the police may show up, but what can they do aside from arresting whoever has broken in? You all agree that if insurance companies justify increased premiums for vacation or part-time homes--or even cancelling your insurance altogether, then the homeowner should get credit for having people in that home, checking it's condition and systems on a regular basis. Right? Right. You get my point.

We need to come together for a lot of reasons. If an uninsured (or under-insured) company makes a mistake, or gets sued, or does something criminal, we will all be affected. Somehow. In Massachusetts, Home Watch companies must be licensed through the state police. In Arizona, legitimate Home Watch companies are also licensed contractors. Those contractors have to pay into a fund for fraudulent companies that have done shoddy work. HEY, CANADA! What about you? Anyway, I believe it is inevitable that regulation of our industry will happen eventually. Can we help ourselves? I think we can.

Hey, insurance companies and commercial insurance brokers: Call me...we'll do lunch!

Much success,

Jack

Pete Playman and Plan B Home Services make the grade for the 3rd year in a row!

Jack Luber
Executive Director

Plan B Home Services has earned Accredited Member status for the third consecutive year! And I'm proud to call it's owner, Pete Playman, a valued member of our Advisory Board. I always tell the story about the first time that Pete and I spoke. The first communication that I received from Pete was basically: "Who the heck are you, and what gives you the right to form an association?" Whoa! Who am I? What gives me the right?

And so began our relationship. After explaining to him who I was, and my reasons for forming the NHWA, Pete understood what I was trying to achieve. Arizona is a state that demands a lot of recourse from its contractors. And because Plan B Home Services complies with every law and licensing requirement, Pete feels strongly about the playing field being level. We spoke at length about his competition, and it was pretty obvious that a lot of them are under- or uninsured, unlicensed, and maybe not as ethical as they should be. After our conversation, it didn't take long for Pete to apply for accreditation in the National Home Watch Association. For the third year in a row, I am proud to call Plan B Home Services a member of the NHWA.  I am really looking seeing him at our first annual conference next month, here in Myrtle Beach.

Pete Playman

Plan B Home Services serves Anthem, Tromonto, Cave Creek, Carefree, Sonoran Foothills, North Scottsdale and the North Phoenix area. Visit Pete's website at www.planbhomeservices.com, or give him a call at (602) 540-7900.

Congratulations again, Pete!

As always, I wish you
Much success,
Jack

Kansas is in the house!

Jack Luber, Executive Director

Kansas Home Watch Service, of Ozawkie, KS, has gained accreditation by the NHWA.

Marlin and Cheryl Youngquist have lived in Kansas for 18 years. They have raised 10 children and are enjoying their seven grandchildren.

Marlin has over 30 years’ experience in business management. Cheryl has been a nurse for 30 years and has had paralegal training.

The Youngquists have owned many properties and rehabilitated, remodeled and finished all of them utilizing Marlin’s skills.

Their experience and skills make their services the best in Kansas!

Cheryl and Marlin Youngquist

Kansas Home Watch Service serves Topeka, Lawrence, Kansas City (KS), Olatha, and Wyndotte and Johnson Counties. They can be reached at (785) 760-4331 or on the Web at KansasHomeWatch.com.

Welcome, Marlin and Cheryl! As always, I wish you

Much success,

Jack

Home Inspections Plus, of Sarasota, FL, has gained Accredited Member status for the third consecutive year!

Jack Luber, Executive Director

Home Inspections Plus, LLC, of Sarasota, has gained Accredited Member status in the National Home Watch Association for the third consecutive year.

Owners Jim and Sandra VanSuch founded Home Inspections Plus in order to provide peace of mind to customers in need of Home Inspection and Home Watch services.  They were the first in the Central Florida area to receive accreditation from the NHWA.

Sandra has been providing Home Watch services since she started the business in 2005. She enjoys dealing with her clients and is proud of the level of trust she has earned from them.  She knows that in the beginning, it is hard to trust a stranger to enter your home’s personal space and to feel confident in that person’s abilities without knowing them.  Because the State of Florida does not have licensing for Home Watch providers, Home Inspections Plus is very serious about maintaining the standards required by the NHWA; customer confidence is of the utmost importance to them.

As a Home Inspector, Jim is Florida licensed and trained in the very latest home inspection standards.  Jim is an ASHI Certified Inspector (The American Society of Home Inspectors), the premier national home inspector organization.  He is also certified by AHIT and InterNACHI as a certified home inspector.  Jim's goal is to accurately and objectively help their Home Watch clients understand any issues discovered at their property.  

Residents of Sarasota since 1990, Jim and Sandra are the proud parents of two daughters. They love the beach, sports, and enjoying all Sarasota has to offer.  Sandra and her daughters are passionate about volunteering their time coordinating needs for Everyday Blessings.  EB is a foster home for siblings who were removed from their families due to abuse and/or neglect.  EB provides a loving, caring environment, while keeping siblings together so they are not separated from each other after being removed from their parents.  If you are in the area Home Inspections Plus covers and would like to know more about EB and how you can help, Sandra would LOVE to talk to you!

Jim and Sandra VanSuch

Home Inspections Plus serves Sarasota and Manatee Counties. Visit their website at www.HIPSarasota.com, or call (941) 926-5026 for more information.

Congratulations, Sandra and Jim!

As always, we wish you

Much success,

Jack

Cardinal Management Group of Florida gains accreditation in the NHWA!

Jack Luber, Executive Director

  
Cardinal Management Group of Florida has earned accreditation by the National Home Watch Association.  Located in Naples, they have been performing Home Watch and Maintenance services since 2001, and continue to offer professional and detail-oriented service. They are licensed, bonded, insured, and currently serve over 300 clients throughout Collier and Lee County. Driving the success of the Client Services Department are Kayla Carter and Robert Ramirez.

Kayla joined the Cardinal Management Group team in 2009 as the assistant to the Vice President of Client Services. In June 2012, she took the helm of the Client Services Department and now manages all issues on behalf of her clients.  Kayla became a licensed CAM in April 2013.  Her colleague, Robert Ramirez, has been performing Home Watch inspections since joining Cardinal Management Group in 2007, and now leads the Maintenance Department as well. He has been a crucial part of the development and growth of the Client Services Department since coming aboard, and strives to provide the best possible service for his clients. Both Kayla and Robert are professional and meticulous; they will meet your needs and exceed your expectations.

Cardinal Management Group serves Collier and Lee Counties. They can be reached at (239) 774-0723, or you can visit their website at www.cmgflorida.com.

Welcome! As always, we wish you

Much success,

Jack

Checkmate Home Watch of Naples, FL, Gains Second-Year Accredited Member Status in the NHWA!

Jack Luber
Executive Director

Checkmate Home Watch, of Naples, Florida has earned accreditation in the National Home Watch Association for the second consecutive year. Checkmate Home Watch has made tremendous strides during it's first year thanks to a strong business plan, and a commitment to it excellence from it's owner, Jeff Morrow.

Jeff was born in Cleveland, but has lived in Florida long enough to be called a native Floridian. He enjoyed a professional career in golf course property management, serving as Golf Course Superintendent for 22 years at some of the most prestigious country clubs in the state. He brings forward his extensive experience in property management, member relations and project management to Checkmate Home Watch.

Jeff Morrow

Jeff developed Checkmate Home Watch with a 'client first' philosophy that provides residents and owners of second homes and condominiums with a company that works full time for them, providing peace of mind in their absence. It is his goal to establish and maintain the trust and confidence of his clients, while representing the highest levels of professionalism for our industry.

Jeff and his wife have lived in Naples since 2000. Proudly maintaining a low double-digit handicap while playing military golf (to the left, to the right, left, right), he still enjoys the game as time permits. Jeff is also an avid and experienced boater and explores the beaches and coastal waters from Cape Romano to Cayo Costa. They both love all the recreational and cultural activities that represent Naples as a fantastic place to live and enjoy vacations.

Checkmate Home Watch serves the city of Naples and surrounding communities of Collier County. Jeff can be reached at (239) 207-7426 or jeff@checkmatehomewatch.com, and on the Web at www.checkmatehomewatch.com.

Congratulations, Jeff! As always, I wish you

Much success,

Jack