Request These Free Useful Forms:

• House-Closing Checklist
• Emergency Contacts List
• Vendor Contacts List

Client Recommendations:

“Susie Orchard of A Helpful Neighbor has taken care of our home during our absence in the summer months for several years. I can’t say enough about her wonderful service and attention to detail. Not only is she thorough and professional, I found her to be a compassionate and caring person. All our needs and requests were promptly attended to and she often had some expert advice about items we had not given much thought to doing. I knew when I went off for the summer that I never needed to give it another thought when Susie was in charge of our household.

Sadly we have moved out of her range and she can no longer keep us on the client list. It will be impossible to replace her and difficult to find any other service so competent. I would be happy to answer questions and give opinions to any new prospective clients thinking about working with A Helpful Neighbor.” – Mrs. Ann T…..  relocated Tequesta client

“We live in Chicago … [when] my husband and I inherited an older condo property in Juno Beach that needed extensive renovation, it was difficult to coordinate trades, negotiate prices, and get contractors to show up as promised. Although I made 4 trips from Chicago to FL in a period of 8 weeks, it was impossible to obtain my desired results without Susie’s efforts. Here is list of the things she did for me:

1. Kept me informed via email and phone and pictures
2. Coordinated trades (paint/electric/plumbing/window/drywall/IT)
3. Spoke fluent Spanish to many tradesmen
4. Assisted in obtaining building permits and solved problems as they arose
5. Liaisoned with our condo board and Town of Juno Beach
6. Offered her own working knowledge of FL environmental issues related to the unit regarding mold, water leaks, window replacements, temperature controls, etc.
7. While not a GC, Susie has an excellent working knowledge of building infrastructure, as witnessed when we did an entire window/sliding glass door replacement, had a drywall framing issue, some plumbing and electrical problems
8. She assists in inspection of our property while it is occupied by renters
9. When my daughter injured her hand and needed an x-ray, Susie recommended a nearby medical facility vs. questionable emergency room located miles away, saving us time and an expensive ER fee.
Being in Chicago with a property located over a thousand miles away, we would not feel as secure as we do without Susie. She has full access and keys, checks mail, and is present after storms to make sure all is ok. We also have 4 children who have used the condo, and it is comforting to know that someone is around who has an extra key and can provide help if necessary. She opens up and preps the condo for our arrival. I trust her implicitly.” - Illinois Labor Attorney & CPA spouse

“My wife and I are in the airline industry. Because we are gone so much of the time Susie Orchard has had our house keys since 1998. In that period of time we have known her to be “honest to a fault.” She brings us peace of mind and values our privacy.

Besides all the other things she does, there was a noteworthy task. Susie was called upon to deliver “forgotten” necessary supplies to the hospital – in the wee hours of the morning, when our first daughter was born. We consider Susie to be a member of our family.” - Airline Captain

“I am employed in Europe while trying to maintain a home on Jupiter Island. Susie routinely forwards my mail, checks the condition of my home, and coordinates service activities such as carpet cleaning and locksmiths… Above and beyond these chores, Susie also meets and greets people who rent our home, coordinates key distribution and return, and inspects the facility and interior humidity levels… She has provided orientation services to new tenants, grocery shopped and offered sight seeing, etc. I would highly recommend her if you seek the services of a personal assistant…” - Medical Professional working in Germany

“We summer in the mountains of North Carolina, and several years ago began building a home in Mexico. And, we also own a home in Tequesta, Florida. The necessary movement of mail and packages required Susie to use various sources and some creative planning. We never had to worry about the mail, which included time sensitive material, because we could rely on Susie.

Although we had not made arrangements for Susie to look after our property, when we received a telephone message from a neighbor at our Tequesta property that our water heater was leaking badly. A phone call to Susie was all that was needed. She investigated and found the best water heater for our needs, arranged for a plumber to install it and oversaw the entire matter. … If there is a concern or problem we have no doubt that Susie is the person to go to for results.” – Retired US Government attorneys

“My husband and I are seasonal residents in Florida. Last year our air conditioner failed shortly after we left Florida. Our system needed a total repair or replacement. Susie provided thoroughly researched information which helped with the remote decision-making process. She communicated every step of the way to keep us informed, and she took the time to get the job done right. Susie demonstrated comprehensive knowledge of reputable contractors and trades people. We were able to choose a new system and a new contractor while saving considerable money for a high-end system with a generous guarantee. We could not have done without her. Most importantly she provided us with peace of mind.” - Wisconsin retired engineer & artist spouse

“We feel compelled to express our gratitude for your very special and caring attention to our needs as they relate to our property in Jupiter, Fl. Your professional, honest, and immediate attention to our needs far exceeds that of any of the several house watch services we have used in the 20 years that we have owned the residence.

We are impressed with the contacts that you have made over the years with contractors, local officials, etc, as they seem to accelerate your lawful and proper service to your customers. What I have heard from them is a continuing tribute to you and your company. We look forward to our continued relationship with you.” – Part-time Jupiter & Sag Harbor, NY residents

“It is a pleasure to write this recommendation on behalf of A Helpful Neighbor, Inc. which is our house watch and concierge service for our property at Ocean Walk in Jupiter, FL. Being a part-time resident and newcomer to the local area, I had no one to watch the house or to manage the projects that needed to get done. Developing a relationship with A Helpful Neighbor (aka Susie Orchard) was one of the best property management decisions I ever made! Not only does Susie do an excellent job of managing the projects, she also has an extensive list of qualified vendors. She treats our residence like it was her own! I trust Susie like a family member.” – CEO, Metals Manufacturer