Hyco Home Watch – Adding a Local Touch to an Urban Amenity to Bring you Peace of Mind

I met with Dale Snow, owner and operator of Hyco Home Watch, back on June 20 to interview him for this article. The interview included me meeting him out at Hyco Lake to tag along on one of his home inspections, which I share about in detail later in the article.

Soon after I gathered the information about the business, I sat down and wrote about it and considered the piece finished for the most part. I held it for submission in order to schedule an interview with one of Dale’s clients, who was on vacation out of the country.

During that window of completing the bulk of the article (so I thought) and waiting for the opportunity to add a testimonial, Hyco Lake experienced unprecedented flooding from what has been labeled as a 500-year storm, known as Tropical Depression Chantal.

This weather event caused water levels to rise to the rooflines of boathouses, in many cases creating so much pressure from the boats pressing into the roofs that both were damaged or destroyed.  Many boats and other watercraft were carried away, as was outdoor furniture, appliances, floats, and the like.

At the time of this writing, we are one week out from Hyco Lake homeowners waking up on Monday, July 7 to the realization that lake levels had risen to historic heights and the effects would be like nothing ever seen on Hyco before.

In the days following, cleanup included recovering missing property, inspecting and repairing damaged electrical systems, addressing structural issues with boathouses, and pressure washing layers of mud and debris from every surface.

Many property owners had just spent the week or weekend out on the lake for the July 4 holiday and had returned to their primary residences in other parts of the state or country and were not around to respond to the storm damage.

‘Thank God for Dale’

“Karen,” a client of Hyco Home Watch, had returned from a vacation abroad and was at her home in the Midwest when she received notice from Dale about the storm and its widespread damage to lakeside property. Dale had completed an inspection and sent her a report of the property’s condition, complete with photos. Because Karen was a regular client, Dale knew what was missing and had photographs of the property from the week before, when everything was intact.

“Thank God for Dale.” That’s how Karen began her comments, with an audible sense of gratitude. “We lost our boat, and Dale got it back for us. He is taking care of the cleanup, so by the time I get there, everything will be taken care of. He has always taken care of everything for us, but he has really kicked into high gear in the wake of the storm. I don’t know how other people do it without the help of someone like Dale. He is very hands-on and goes above and beyond. He is extremely reliable and honest.”

Karen recalled her first meeting with Dale at her property as she considered utilizing Hyco Home Watch. “When I first walked the property with Dale as we were discussing the services, he was picking up sticks here and there and putting them into the fire pit. I don’t even think he realized he was doing it. He is just very conscientious and pays attention to detail. He’s very kind and easy to work with. It made me realize that my home would be in good hands, and I was right. It is!”

#LakeLife, Normally

People of all types are drawn to Hyco Lake from near and far. Some choose the “Lake Life” year-round as their permanent residence, while others buy property for use as a summer home, vacation spot, occasional getaway, or maybe even as a short-term rental investment. Whatever the reason, the goal is the same – to seek a more carefree, relaxed way of life while on the lake.

Like a Trusted Neighbor

Dale Snow and his wife, Donna, have enjoyed time on Hyco while growing up in Person County and through various seasons of life. They especially look forward to the times when family comes back to make memories together, and want to help other families make the most of their time on the lake, too.

That’s the idea behind Hyco Home Watch, a local home-monitoring service focused on the Hyco Lake area and offered by Snow, a longtime Hyco resident.

Dale recognizes that technology has come a long way in providing homeowners with some assurances that their property is safe while they’re away, but video cameras and alarm systems cannot detect leaks, fallen trees, equipment failures, or damage from storms or elevated lake levels.

Proximity + Professionalism = Peace of Mind

Hyco Home Watch offers weekly or bi-weekly physical inspections of both the interior and exterior of your home, including boathouses and docks, where applicable. The beauty of having a locally-based monitoring service is that it’s delivered by a neighbor, someone who knows trusted service providers in the area, and who is able to help resolve any issues so that your next escape is not derailed by an unexpected tree across the driveway or a broken air conditioning unit. Because Dale is also a lake resident, he can tailor his visits based on local weather conditions and provide a quick response to alarms and alerts. He will also be aware of local events and activities that may bring heightened traffic to the lake.

Further assurance to Dale’s clients comes from knowing that he is bonded, insured, and an accredited member of the National Home Watch Association. His professional services include a specialized app that allows him to upload photos during his inspection and send an immediate, detailed report to homeowners to ensure that no item has been overlooked.

More Than Monitoring

Another advantage to the localized service is that Hyco Home Watch offers add-on concierge services such as pre-arrival grocery pick-up and stocking, key-holding, and emergency storm preparedness services. These services can also include minor handyman work or coordination with contractors.

Protecting Your Investment

Prior to Tropical Depression Chantal, Dale allowed me, with permission from one of his clients, to accompany him on a weekly inspection. Upon arrival, Dale was mindful of anything that could signal to someone that the home was vacant and brought inside any packages and delivery notices. He completed an exterior survey from foundation to roofline and ensured all doors and windows were secure and there were no visible leaks, clogged gutters, or signs of pests. Before we ever made it inside, Dale spotted a red light on an outside generator. Earlier, a similar scenario had been an indicator of low oil, and had Dale not found the warning and assisted the owner in getting it checked out, the situation could have resulted in permanent and costly damage to the generator.

Thankfully, the interior inspection turned up no leaks, clogged filters, or faulty appliances or systems, but an inspection of the boathouse did reveal some wind and water damage to the ceiling area over the boat, likely from a recent storm. (This was a typical summer thunderstorm, prior to Chantal.) Dale was able to alert the homeowner and send photos so they could determine how to proceed with repairs to minimize any further property damage.

Hyco Home Watch offers services to Hyco Lake and the surrounding areas of Semora, Roxboro, Milton, and Leasburg, and is especially familiar with the waterfront communities of Pelican Point, Crystal Bay, Oak Pointe, Talley Pointe, the Harbor, the Reserve, Southpoint Landing, St. George, Whetstone, and more.

Dale’s certification with the National Home Watch Association (NHWA) provides confidence that Hyco Home Watch is bonded, insured, and vetted with a complete background check, along with following the NHWA Code of Ethics and Best Practices.

Don’t let the carefree feeling of lakeside ownership be overshadowed by worries or hassles of maintenance and safety while you’re away. Let Hyco Home Watch be your local advocate in protecting your investment and your peace of mind.

For a full list of services, visit the website or give Dale a call to set up a consultation and discuss your specific needs. You can also find him on Facebook at Hyco Home Watch.

336-592-5711
www.hycohomewatch.com