The world we live in is not static but ever-changing. External circumstances or natural disasters cannot be predicted. However, precautions can be taken to ensure safety and minimize risks.
Just as we care for our health, invest in relationships, find a nanny for our children, or never leave pets alone for too long — we must also take care of our homes. Especially if it is a seasonal property left empty for extended periods.
A home is not just a possession. It is warmth, love, comfort, memories, and a significant investment. Putting savings into a dream mountain chalet — only to discover that during your absence, flooding started, corrosion spread, or a hurricane damaged the cabin’s facade is nothing pleasant.
Maintaining a home in excellent condition without constant supervision is nearly impossible. But if you entrust this to professionals — meticulous care, attention to detail, reduced stress for you as the owner, and the guarantee of returning to a perfect home after a long absence are all assured. Mountain Home Minders provides confidence that a home is in reliable hands while owners are away.
Unique service
Mountain Home Minders essentially offers absentee homeowners a unique service. In fact, it is experience, professionalism, and a personal approach that husband and wife Loretta and Larry Newton (pictured top) have been demonstrating for decades.
Everything started back in the 1990s in Florida. “In 1993, I worked for a company in the prestigious community of BallenIsles in Palm Beach Gardens providing Home Watch inspections and arranging home maintenance services for absentee homeowners,” shared Loretta. “In 1997, I started my own company, Florida Estate Management Services (FEMS), which still exists today, albeit under new ownership.”
In 2006, the couple moved to Franklin, where they purchased 40 acres and went on to develop Santeetlah Ridge, where they still live.
Life then threw some “lemons” in the form of the pandemic quarantine, but Loretta and Larry turned it into refreshing “lemonade.” An influx of new residents inspired them to start a business.
“In 2020, it became clear that Macon County had been discovered, and with the advent of a red-hot real estate market and the increase of seasonal homeowners and short-term rentals, I wanted to meet the needs of absentee homeowners,” explained Loretta.
The business owned by Loretta and Larry cannot be a one-size-fits-all nationwide operation. An individualized approach considering the climate zone is essential. Loretta and Larry have that experience, having long made their home in the mountains of Western North Carolina.
“Having lived here for nearly 20 years, we know that homes here are subject to extreme weather conditions, pest issues, major system breakdowns, and more,” she said.
Larry and Loretta make a great team. “Larry is so accomplished in his knowledge of general home maintenance and construction,” said Loretta. “Prior to leaving Florida, he had passed the General Contractor’s exam… Since we had worked together at FEMS, it was clear we could do this again.”
Meanwhile, Loretta mainly works with new and current clients, coordinates daily operations, conducts inspections, communicates with contractors, and oversees marketing, advertising, and finances.
Mountain Home Minders offers two types of services: Home Watch Contract offering additional services as needed and Estate Management Contract — comprehensive service for a limited number of clients, tailored individually.
Mountain Home Minders conducts regular Home Watch inspections, especially valued by clients after bad weather. They care for systems, identify problems before they become disasters, coordinate with trusted contractors, handle short-term rental needs (for Franklin), and more. Stopping leaks early that could have resulted in thousands of dollars in flood damage, detecting moisture in a room and installing a dehumidifier before mold takes hold are also some of the preventive measures that Mountain Home Minders stays on top of for its clients.
Credentials are obtained through the National Home Watch Association (NHWA). Loretta pointed out that NHWA accreditation is very important: it means guarantees, reliability, vetted workers, proper insurance and bonding, criminal background checks, all necessary licenses, etc. Earlier this year, Mountain Home Minders earned its second NHWA accreditation since the company was established.
The company plans to expand service areas throughout Macon County and into parts of Jackson County.
“The need is great,” said Loretta.