Why the Homewatching Industry is the Hidden Giant of Property Management (And How Tech is Finally Catching Up)

When people think of property management, they usually picture apartment buildings, vacation rentals, or homeowner associations. But there’s a lesser-known, essential corner of the industry that’s been flying under the radar for years: homewatching.

For millions of homeowners with second homes, vacation properties, or estates, the question isn’t just about renting or selling—it’s about protecting their investment when no one’s there. That’s where homewatching services come in: companies that perform regular inspections, coordinate vendors, and make sure these properties are cared for—even from hundreds of miles away.

But here’s the surprising part: despite billions spent on homewatching every year, most of these services are still managed with pen and paper.

A $10B+ Market Still Stuck in the Past

It’s estimated that there are over 25 million second homes in the U.S. alone, many of them sitting empty for long stretches. Whether it’s a beachfront getaway in Florida or a ski chalet in Colorado, these homes need regular checkups:

• Inspections to make sure everything’s in working order

• Landscaping and cleaning services to keep things looking sharp

• Maintenance checks for HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems

  
  

Homeowners typically spend $3,000 to $5,000 per month on property upkeep. But the businesses providing these vital services—small homewatching companies—are often using outdated tools like spreadsheets, notebooks, and manual invoices.

Meanwhile, other parts of the property management world—vacation rentals, apartment complexes, HOAs—have embraced technology with platforms like AppFolio, Guesty, or TOPS.

Homewatching? Still waiting for its digital moment.

Why Homewatching is Different (And More Challenging)

Unlike rental properties or apartment complexes, homewatching is about protecting empty homes—there are no tenants, no bookings, just a property that needs regular care.

It’s a unique job that requires:

• Recurring inspections (often weekly or biweekly)

• Customized vendor management (plumbers, landscapers, pool services)

• Clear communication with homeowners, who often live far away

And homeowners expect transparency. They want answers like:

• Is the pool pump working?

• Did the landscaper show up this week?

• Has that leaky roof been repaired?

  
  

But they don’t want to chase down emails or sift through confusing invoices. They want real-time updates, clear records, and peace of mind—all without the friction.

Why Now? The Tech Shift Coming to Homewatching

The homewatching industry is at a turning point. Several trends are pushing it toward a much-needed upgrade:

• More second-home ownership: Since the pandemic, more families are investing in vacation properties and second homes—but they aren’t always there to look after them.

• Higher expectations for transparency: Homeowners are used to tracking their packages in real time—why shouldn’t they get the same level of insight into their property care?

• Labor shortages: Finding and managing reliable vendors has gotten tougher. Automation and organization are becoming essential to keep up.

  
  

Put simply: it’s time for homewatching to catch up with the rest of the property world.

Meet MiProp: Bringing Homewatching into the 21st Century

That’s where MiProp comes in. We’ve built the first software platform designed specifically for homewatching companies—whether you manage five homes or fifty.

With MiProp, everything you need is in one place:

For Property Managers:

• Easy inspection reports with photos and notes, completed right from your phone.

• Automated scheduling for inspections, vendor visits, and maintenance tasks.

• Vendor management tools to assign jobs, track work orders, and keep everything organized.

• Built-in messaging so you can communicate smoothly with homeowners and vendors.

  
  

For Homeowners:

• Real-time updates whenever an inspection is done—complete with photos, so you know exactly what’s happening.

• Clear records of services and payments, all in one place.

• Peace of mind that your property is cared for, no matter where you are.

The Bottom Line

Homewatching is one of the last untapped areas in property management—a $10B+ industry that’s long overdue for a tech upgrade.

Whether you’re a property manager looking for an easier way to stay organized, or a homeowner who wants better visibility into your second home, MiProp makes homewatching simple, seamless, and stress-free.

👉 Learn more or schedule a demo at MiPropAI.com