Costa del Sol Property Sales

Property World Magazine - December 2004 Issue

Everyday problems can occur in even the most organised of homes. But what happens when your home is in one country and you’re in another? Owners are now finding a way to eliminate the stress and worry of owning a holiday home or investment property abroad. We talk to an internet-based company that delivers peace of mind by empowering owners over the web.

HomeCareontheWeb, one of the divisions of the Property Solutions Group based in Elviria, is an interactive web-based property management service. It combines tailor-made property care with the immediacy and interactivity of the internet. Owners can log on to their secure website to view detailed reports, complete with photographs, on the status of their property.

 “All properties need regular maintenance to combat the effects of weather and time. The downside of owning a second home in another country is that problems such as plumbing leaks, storm damage or pest infestation can go unnoticed for long periods. That’s a real worry for owners and can mean some unwelcome, and perhaps costly, surprises when they arrive for their stay.” explains Tony Sidebottom, MD of HomeCareontheWeb.

 HomeCare managers regularly check properties and flag up any issues that need attention. Any work required is quoted for and, once approved, is dealt with speedily and with minimum fuss. In the event of an emergency, immediate action is taken, so there’s never any need to worry. The user-friendly website even allows owners to pay bills securely by credit card on-line.

 Tony goes on to explain the ethos behind HomeCareontheWeb, “Having owned property here for many years, I wanted to bring a new level of property management service to owners on the Coast, one that clearly differentiated between just managing a property and really caring for it. This resulted in us designing a system where the service is totally accountable to owners. Our clients have full access to their own personal area of the website, giving them control over the management of their home when they are not in residence.”

 Tony continues, “People owning homes abroad want it to be a relatively hassle-free experience. They not only want to ensure that someone is continually monitoring the status of their property, many also want to earn a return on their investment by renting out their property.”

 For those interested in renting out their property, sister website HolidayRentalontheWeb allows potential accommodation to be viewed instantly by a worldwide audience.  Whether owners want to rent out long-term, or short-term to holidaymakers and their own guests, HomeCareontheWeb manages the entire process for them. Owners and guests can instantly book their stay using the fully interactive bookings calendar. Holidaymakers can also book and pay for their accommodation through the website, along with related holiday services - whether that’s requesting a welcome pack or arranging a chauffeured car to collect them from the airport.

Tony concludes, ”The HomeCareontheWeb team ensures the property is clean and aired, the hot water and air-conditioning are on, the beds are freshly made up and there’s food in the ’fridge! We also meet and greet guests on arrival, and are there for them on a 24/7 basis to handle any emergencies. Owners can rest assured that we will take care of their guests completely.”