Home Watch & Concierge Services
A Home Watch service is designed to give you peace of mind while you are away from your home. According to the NHWA, the official definition of Home Watch is “A visual inspection of a home or property, looking for obvious issues.” As part of our service, your Mid-Atlantic Home Watch agent will design a checklist based on your individual needs and concerns, and a real-time report, including GPS verification, will be sent following each visit. If a situation does arise, you will be notified immediately so the problem is solved in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
Actually, the question is: how can you not have one? So many things can happen to your home in your absence: break-ins, water leaks, electrical problems, insects, mold, and storms, to name a few. Conversely, planned measures such as storm preparation and proactive maintenance should prevent many situations from arising. Even if you have a trusted neighbor or relative nearby, having a professional acting on your behalf is a much better and more effective option.
Your Mid-Atlantic Home Watch professional’s experience and judgment will allow them to handle any situation with a calculated response. If the situation is an emergency, based on your designated action plan, it will be handled in the fastest, safest, and most cost-effective way. In a non-emergency situation, you will be contacted to discuss and implement a timely solution.
We are not a security service nor a housesitting service. However, having a visible, consistent presence in your unoccupied home may act as a crime deterrent.
In addition to Home Watch, we offer a variety of services all centered around our clients’ residential requirements. Concierge offerings, Home Management for families during a time of loss, and Aging in Place support constitute our Key Services. We pride ourselves in exceeding our select clients’ expectations in every facet of our operation.
Aging in Place & Return from Hospitals / Sub-Acute Rehabilitation Facilities
At Mid-Atlantic Home Watch, we are Certified Aging in Place Specialists (CAPS) trained in meeting the needs of older adults by assisting with Aging in Place home renovations. All CAPS professionals have completed extensive training and testing through the National Association of Home Builders to acquire this designation. Once certified, we work with clients, their caregiver, family, and Care Plan team to make a home and property’s space livable and safe for an aging adult. Mid-Atlantic Home Watch is a proud member of the Senior Provider Group in Anne Arundel County, MD, and its leadership team also volunteers for Hospice of the Chesapeake in their Compassionate Care program.
Mid-Atlantic Home Watch offers comprehensive solutions including:
• Home Safety & Accessibility Assessments
• Consultative meetings with you, your family, your Care Plan team, and contractors
• Project management for Mobility Aid delivery and installation
• Monthly home visits to provide general maintenance services (bulb & filter changes, fire & carbon monoxide alarm battery check/replacement, miscellaneous service needs)
• Walk-through after all projects to ensure client satisfaction and proper training
• “Minor” & “Major” home modifications and renovations
At Mid-Atlantic Home Watch, we’re firm believers that small changes to your home can lead to tremendous safety and accessibility benefits. Some of these “Minor” considerations are:
o Temporary ramp and threshold ramp installation (rental or owned)
o Doorway widening
o Grab bar installation
o Home security systems & camera installation
o Doorknob & cabinetry hardware exchanges
o Improved and/or motion-detecting lights
o Durable Medical Equipment provision
o Floor safety modifications (nonslip & rug gripper pads, stair skid tape)
o Bed safety equipment
o Railing installation
o Generator installation
“Major” considerations for home modifications and renovations to benefit those Aging in Place or returning from hospitalization or sub-acute rehabilitation facilities are:
o Vertical Platform Lift, Chair Slide, or Elevator installations
o Permanent ramp installation and property grading for zero threshold entrances
o Universal design renovations for kitchens
o Universal design renovations for bathrooms and wet rooms
o Modification of main floor to include master bedroom with en suite
o Construction of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
No. Mid-Atlantic Home Watch does not have a general contractor’s license. However, we do carry an MHIC Salesperson’s license (License # 161087) in the state of Maryland and directly represent two contractors who are together capable of performing all “Minor” and “Major” home modifications and renovations. Under no circumstances do we bid single projects between the two companies we represent. If, for any reason, we’re unable to complete a job within our clients’ time frame, budget, or location, we gladly refer trusted, licensed, insured alternative vendors who may be able to assist in the unlikely case that we cannot.
Numerous public funding sources exist in the State of Maryland for Aging in Place home renovations. Some of these are
• The Maryland Homestead Property Tax Program
• The Maryland Homeowner Property Tax Credit Program
• The Renters Tax Credit Program
• The Independent Living Tax Credit
• The State of MD 0% Loans & Grants Program for Accessible Homes for Seniors
• The Maryland WholeHome Grant Program
• Special Targeted Applicant Rehabilitation Program
• Housing Grants for Disabled Veterans
Many counties offer additional credits or incentives. Our contracting partners provide numerous financing options including 0% promotional financing to qualified customers. Standard payment types such as check, ACH Bank Transfer, or Credit Card are also gladly accepted.
