Guide · 6 min read
Home watch vs. property management in Hawaiʻi
What each service covers, what it costs, and which one an empty second home actually needs.
If your Hawaiʻi home sits empty for weeks at a time, someone needs to be looking at it. The question is how much help you need.
Home watch
A home watch provider visits on a schedule, checks for leaks, pests, mold, power and security issues, and sends a report, often with photos. They don't rent the property. The National Home Watch Association accredits providers that meet its standards.
Property management
A property manager runs the home as an asset: tenants or guests, maintenance, vendor coordination, accounting and, where required, acting as your on-island agent.
What it costs: published examples
- Maui Property Managers lists home care from $540 a month for condos and $780 for single-family homes, plus GET
- HiCoastal on Oʻahu lists home watch at $499 a month plus a $500 onboarding fee
Prices change. Confirm current rates directly with each provider.
Questions to ask any provider
- How often do you visit, and what is on the checklist?
- Do I receive photo reports after each visit?
- What happens after a storm or a power outage?
- Are you insured and bonded? Are you accredited?
- Who holds keys, and how are vendors supervised?