In recent years, the luxury real estate market has seen a rise in homeowners who want “lock-and-leave.”
Lock-and-leave is tailored for homeowners with busy lives, with second homes, or who travel extensively for business or pleasure.
For some, maintenance-free is a must – where landscaping, pool and exterior maintenance is taken care of, such as the only maintenance-free luxury villa homes in Miromar Lakes Beach & Golf Club at Portofino, or Matera at The Lake Club at Lakewood Ranch by London Bay Homes.
For others, it’s the reassurance that their investment is safe when they’re away.
William and Evelyn Follit have been owners of two or three homes at the same time since the mid 1990’s.
“We have always had some level of supervision, but we have had to design the details for the three or four key people and have had to interface with each of them,” said Evelyn.
When the Follits moved into Mediterra and chose London Bay Homes as their luxury home builder, they knew they wanted someone who knew their home – inside-and-out. Someone they could trust to care for it while they were away at their summer home in Stamford, Connecticut.
Since 2005, London Bay Homes has offered an in-house Home Watch and Estate Management Program – one of the most comprehensive services in the industry.
“When we learned about the home watch services, it was as if the general services provided were crafted just for our needs. This is quite turnkey from our perspective,” said Evelyn.
These services and schedules are crafted with each homeowner in mind. Weekly inspections and monthly reports noting any items that need repair or maintenance ensure potential problems can be identified quickly – saving homeowners time, money and stress.
“We also genuinely like Rick Newton, our liaison. He communicates with us regularly and has a great attitude,” said Evelyn.
The Follits chose to build a Valencia model with customizations to showcase their modern and contemporary design style – opening up the space to show off their artwork and furnishings.
“Because we built our new home with London Bay and maneuvered through the entire building process with them, my husband and I came to appreciate the high level of integrity that was demonstrated throughout the organization,” said Evelyn. “We saw that same level of integrity with Rick Newton and his staff.”
That level of integrity is what sets apart London Bay’s Home Watch and Estate Management Program from the other home watch services on the market.
The Follits moved to Naples to be closer to lifelong friends who are neighbors in Connecticut and Mediterra. Now they can focus on what’s really important – building friendships, grabbing dinner and drinks at Mediterra's private beach club and enjoying Mediterra’s luxurious amenities.
