Mark Mehling

"Houses and teenagers are very similar- neither should be left alone for very long." Mark, the Home Watch Guy

Mark has lived all over the world and currently calls Florida home. These travels, specifically as a Naval Aviator, meant leaving homes behind for months at a time while he was at sea. When he retired after moving 16 times in 23 years with the Navy, he moved to Florida, home of sun and snowbirds. While walking his beloved Akita, Zoie, he noticed water coming from the garage of a vacant home. No neighbors knew when the owner would return, who had keys, or any other information. After investigating, Mark found a water leak had flooded the 'sunken' living room and overflowed to the garage. That was the beginning of HomeWatchValet (www.homewatchvalet.com)and Absentae (www.absentae.com), two Private Home Management Companies devoted to snowbirds, 'for sale' homeowners, and occasional residents who have left their property behind in the heat, humidity and storms of Florida.

His book, "Leaving Your Home-ALONE" takes his years of experience in the field known generically as 'home watch' and distills it down to a manageable but comprehensive checklist. Written specifically for every vacation homeowner, any homeowner can learn from from its wit and wisdom.