New Members coming

Jack Luber
Executive Director

Greetings and salutations,

I hope that everyone has survived the winter unscathed, and are none the worse for wear. Today in the northern half of the US and Canada, people are once again gearing up for what will hopefully be winter's last hurrah. I heard that depending on a couple of factors, our Members on Cape Cod might be looking at as much as 18 inches of snow. Our friends in Ontario and Nova Scotia were at 20 below this morning. So even though today's high in Myrtle Beach will only reach into the low 50s, I'll take it. I was actually in shorts and a golf shirt over the weekend, so I know that warmth is almost here to stay. 

Things are heating up at the NHWA, too. We will be announcing newly accredited members in California, Arizona, Florida, New York, and Virginia in the coming days. And inquiries from clients are coming in from a lot of areas that do not have NHWA representation. It is very frustrating, knowing that people are looking for local companies, and not being able to accommodate them. The NHWA will only recommend licensed, bonded and insured companies that have been carefully vetted. 

I also wanted to let everyone know that the 2014 NHWA Conference will be held in Myrtle Beach, SC, from September 18th - 21st. Those who attended the 2013 Conference will attest to how terrific it was and how much they learned. If you are considering getting accredited, mark your calendars for a great time, and come meet and hang out with some awesome people in Myrtle Beach this September. 

Much success to all,

Jack

Cape Associates of North Eastham, MA, has gained second-year Accredited Member status in the NHWA!

Jack Luber, Executive Director

Cape Associates, originally a custom builder on Cape Cod and Nantucket since the early 1970s, added their Home Watch division in 2012.
 

Cinnamon Swable was hand-picked to run and facilitate their Home Watch division.  A member of the Cape Associates team for the past six years, she was previously in the landscape industry for over 18 years.  During that time, she cultivated a specialty gardening company.  Cinnamon earned a degree in Construction Technology from Wentworth Institute of Technology.  She and her son, Nemo, love spending time at their home in Eastham, MA.

Cape Associates builds a unique playhouse every year and then raffles it off to benefit a local charity. For more information on this, go to http://www.capeassociates.com/A_Pages/playhouses.html to see past playhouses. 

Cinnamon Swable

Cape Associates serves all of Cape Cod. They have two locations: the main office in North Eastham, and a second in Yarmouthport. She can reached by phone at (508) 255-1770 or cinnamon@capeassociates.com. You can visit them on the Web at http://capeassociates.com/property-management/.  

Congratulations, Cinnamon and Cape Associates! 

As always, I wish you

Much success,

Jack

Comet Security of Vernon, NJ, gains Accredited Member status for the second consecutive year!

Jack Luber, Executive Director

 

Established in 1999, Comet Security is headquartered in Vernon, New Jersey. Comet began providing Home Watch services about five years ago. The owners and senior management of Comet are directly involved in the relationship and day-to-day support of their clients. They are committed to achieving client satisfaction by providing hands-on, cost effective and professional services.  

Craig Thompson has been employed with Comet security since 2008, becoming President in 2010. Craig served as a Captain in the United States Army and is a 2001 graduate of The Citadel: Military College of South.  Craig also owns and operates an independent and accredited property management company, handling all types of real estate, ranging from single-family homes to large-scale associations, and commercial properties.  

Jim Flanagan has been employed as a Vice President with Comet Security since 2011. Prior to Comet Security, he was a senior vice president with a large  nationwide security company. He was also the owner of a mid-size security and Home Watch firm and started his career as a municipal police officer. Jim has been married for 38 years. He has three grown children and one grandson.

Craig Thompson

Jim Flanagan

 

Comet Security provides security and Home Watch services throughout the state of New Jersey and in Eastern Pennsylvania. Jim can be reached at jimf@cometsecurity.com or at (973) 827-9088, or on the Web at http://cometsecurity.com/homewatch.html. 

Congratulations, Craig and Jim!

As always, I wish you

Much success,

Jack

 

NHWA Update and 2014 Conference

Jack Luber, Executive Director

Greetings and Salutations!

I hate to complain about a little lousy weather and rain, but I am going to. When I moved to the beach from New Jersey back in 2005, I thought I was leaving snow, ice, and cold, nasty weather behind. Sure, I'd have to wear a coat once in a while, but I could deal with that. And, for the first few years, the weather cooperated. It seems to have gone downhill over the past few years. But who could have predicted this winter? Certainly not the weathermen and women, who get paid to guess. These people can be wrong 60% of the time, and still get paid. I wish I had that kind of gig....

I wanted to update you on a couple of things. First of all, we just announced the dates for the 2014 NHWA Conference. Once again, we will be in beautiful Myrtle Beach at Broadway at the Beach. Thinks will kick off on Thursday evening, September the 18th, with a cocktail party. Friday the 19th and Saturday the 20th will be packed with lots of knowledge, technology, and hopefully a lot of sharing of information. Saturday night will feature a great dinner, and Sunday we'll recap over breakfast. This year we have decided that two complete days are in order, especially after last year's crowd asked to start earlier so we could cover more ground. And after last year's freaky cold weather in October, we have moved it to September, when the ocean is still in the high 70s and the golf courses are absolutely perfect. We'll be releasing the details soon, but attendance will be limited to the first 50 companies. Call us at (843) 357-6660 or email us at info@nationalhomewatchassociation.org for more information or to make reservations. Join us!

On the insurance front, the NHWA-endorsed Home Watch general liability policy is now in place, with at least 35 companies signing on since it was introduced in mid-2013. I was finally able to take advantage of the policy, when my current coverage was ready to renew. To be actually covered for Home Watch services is a very satisfying feeling. And I saved about $800 a year. Actually, I saved a lot more, because this policy includes E&O (professional liability). I used to pay close to $2,000 a year for that alone. If you are interested in learning more about this coverage, let us know. 

One last thing: With the amount of new Home Watch businesses opening, and given the fact that there are no rules that the industry is required to follow, please be careful out there. We were recently made aware of an unfortunate incident in Florida, where a company owner was arrested while he was breaking into a house that he did not belong in. The cops even had to use a taser gun on him...three times! Hello? Seriously? Now you all know that some of the companies operating in your area might not be insured and bonded, and may not be the kind of business that you want people equating with yours, while representing your livelihood. I have been saying for years that it is not a matter of if someone gives us a black eye, but when. Remember that NHWA accreditation means that your company has been vetted and checked out, and you have agreed to maintain only the highest ethics and standards in the Home Watch industry. That is why we can endorse you,and that means something to the public.

Be well, and thanks for reading.

As always, I wish you
Much success,
Jack

Severn Cottage Services of Coldwater, Ontario, gains second-year accreditation in the NHWA!

Jack Luber, Executive Director

 

Owners Randy and Sandy Martin are located in the heart of Ontario’s cottage country in Severn Falls, Ontario. Randy started Cottage Watch in 1990. After spending 10 years in the oil fields, he decided to come home for a year. Having grown up in cottage country, he knew most of the weekend cottagers from the city.  When they found out he was home, the cottagers started asking him to look after their properties while they were away for the winter. In those days, there were very few companies providing a service like this--and virtually no information--so it has been a learning curve ever since. Randy returned to the oil fields overseas but continued with the cottage watch on a smaller scale.

In 2011 Sandy, Randy and their three children decided to expand on their cottage services to a full-scale business, including Cottage & Home Watch Property Patrols, Cottage Rental Services and Cottage & Home Cleaning. The area they cover is very distinctive, as some of their customers’ properties have no roads, which can create its challenges; access is by boat or ATV in the summer and snowmobile or air boat in the winter. What makes their patrol services unique is the development of their advanced electronic reporting system that proves to their customers that they have actually been to their property and gives them the peace of mind they deserve! The reporting system is generated on site, notifies the customer by e-mail when the patrol report is submitted, automatically records date, time and GPS position of the inspector, uploads pictures to the reports at any time during the patrol, and allows 24/7 customer access to their reports via the Internet.

Severn Cottage Services covers a vast area: from the Severn River between Big Chute & Swift Rapids, Gloucester Pool, Six Mile Lake, the Honey Harbour area, Midland, over to Horseshoe Valley up to Orillia and along Lake Simcoe. Whew!

 

Sandy and Randy Martin

You can reach Randy and Sandy at (705) 686-7290 or toll-free at (855) 686-7290. They can be found on the Web at www.severncottageservices.ca. 

Congratulations, Randy and Sandy! 

As always, I wish you

Much Success,

Jack