Snowbird Stories: Real Examples of What We Found During Home Watch Inspections

Lisa Williams
Oct 12
3 min read

Senior man and woman jogging on a brick path near a serene lake, surrounded by trees. Both wear white and smile, enjoying the sunny day.

When snowbirds migrate north for the summer, their Boca Raton homes don't simply "pause" in their absence. Florida's heat, humidity, storms, and pests continue unabated. Snowbird Stories!

At Safe Home Management, our inspections often uncover issues long before they turn into disasters. Here are a few real examples of what we’ve found during Home Watch visits — and how early detection saved our clients thousands of dollars (and a major headache).

(Note: All stories are based on real incidents. Names and addresses have been removed for privacy.)

The Hidden AC Drain Clog That Saved a Living Room

Close-up of two intersecting white PVC pipes with a drop of water, set against a dirty beige wall. The scene is dimly lit.

The Situation: During a regular weekly inspection, our inspector observed condensation on the floor of the AC closet. The drain pan was filling up due to a faulty sensor, which the owner might not have noticed for months.

The Risk: Had no one caught it, water would have spilled into the living room flooring, causing mold growth and structural damage.

The Result:

Issue detected early
AC tech dispatched same day
Total cost to fix: $150
Estimated damage if left alone: $8,000+

📝 Snowbird homeowner’s words when they returned: “If you didn’t catch this, we would’ve walked into a disaster.”

The Hurricane Debris That Could Have Caused a Roof Leak

Hand clearing wet leaves from a clogged gutter on a gray shingle roof. Murky water fills the gutter, surrounded by green foliage.

The Situation: Following a tropical storm, our inspection uncovered a palm branch and debris blocking the gutter, lodged between the roof tiles and the gutter.

The Risk: Water could have backed up under the tile roof, leading to hidden leaks and ceiling damage.

The Outcome:

Immediate removal of debris
Roof inspected for damage
Prevention of potential and unforeseen future leaks and mold problems

🌴 Many storm issues don’t show up until weeks later — Home Watch means catching them right after the storm hits.

The “Ant Invasion” That Never Got a Chance

Ants crawling in a line along a wooden corner on a light surface. The scene conveys a sense of activity and organization.

The Situation: A small line of sugar ants was spotted near a kitchen window during a routine visit.

The Risk: Without treatment, ant colonies can multiply rapidly, infesting cabinets, outlets, and baseboards.

The Result:

Pest control coordinated same day
Entry point sealed
Infestation avoided

🐜 By the time most homeowners return, pest issues are full-blown. We catch them early.

The Unlocked Back Door After Cleaners Left

Modern bedroom with glass doors opening to a wooden deck. Inside, a bed, mirror, and books. Outside, a chair and small table with a plant.

The Situation: During a scheduled inspection, we found the back sliding door partially open. The homeowners cleaning crew had left earlier that day.

The Risk: Anyone could have entered the home — or humidity and pests could have poured in.

The Result:

Door secured
Owner notified
Vendor corrected protocol

🚪 Security issues often happen unintentionally — but Home Watch makes sure your home is never truly unattended.

The Smart Thermostat Gone Wrong

The Situation: A snowbird client set up a smart thermostat to remotely manage their AC. However, during one of our visits, we discovered that the thermostat was off and had lost its Wi-Fi connection, resulting in the AC being off for over a week or possibly longer, as they scheduled our visits every other week.

The Risk: Humidity levels were climbing fast. Within another week, mold would have begun forming in closets and vents.

The Outcome:

A manual reset was conducted on-site for both the thermostat and the router
Humidity levels returned to a safe range
No damage was sustained

📡 While technology is amazing, there's no replacement for having actual eyes and ears on the property. If you're going to install a smart thermostat, choose one that alerts you to issues, as not all of them do.