The Owner
About
Tom Pickard.
My name is Tom Pickard and I am the proprietor and operator of Ibis Property Oversight. I have spent the past 25 years serving my community as an educator and coach within local school districts — providing hands-on support, helping others succeed, and building a reputation for being dependable, approachable, and trustworthy. These same values now guide my work helping homeowners protect and maintain their properties with confidence and peace of mind.
01 — Origin
Why Ibis?
The ibis is believed to be the last creature to seek shelter before a hurricane and the first to reappear afterward — symbolizing resilience. That felt right.
As I began winding down my teaching career, I reflected on what I genuinely enjoyed most: helping others, solving problems, and finding purpose in work that makes a real difference. I also knew I wanted each day to bring something new.
Along the way, I found myself taking on handyman projects and helping friends and family maintain their homes. What started as a hobby quickly became something I took genuine pride in. Friends in the construction industry encouraged me to continue, recognizing a growing need for dependable, trustworthy people to look after vacation homes and absentee properties.
Building a home watch and concierge business felt like a natural next chapter — one that lets me continue serving others while giving homeowners the confidence and peace of mind they deserve when they are away from their property.
02 — Background
Local Knowledge. Hands-On Experience.
Having grown up in Upstate New York (Baldwinsville), I developed a strong work ethic through summer work in lawn maintenance, road projects, and home construction — and winters in Central New York taught me early how important it is to protect homes from harsh weather conditions.
In 1999, I moved to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware to build a life with my wife, Karen. For more than 27 years, we have proudly called Lewes, Delaware home, raising our family and building deep roots in this community.
Living on the coast introduced an entirely new set of property challenges: salt air, moisture, storms, humidity, and the specific needs of homes that sit unoccupied for months at a time. Through firsthand experience maintaining my own home and years of helping neighbors and friends, I developed practical knowledge of coastal property care that very few home watch owners in this market can match.
A Teacher's Eye
"Tom's 'teacher's eye' brings a methodical, detail-oriented approach that leaves nothing to chance — ensuring every property is monitored with care, consistency, and integrity."
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question? Here are answers to what homeowners ask us most.
Why did Tom Pickard start a home watch business?
I spent 25 years as an educator and coach, building a career around helping others, solving problems, and serving my community. As I transitioned out of teaching, I recognized a natural fit between my skills and the growing need for dependable, trustworthy home watch professionals in coastal Delaware. Friends in the construction and homebuilding industry encouraged me to pursue it — and the combination of service, responsibility, and hands-on property work made Ibis Property Oversight a natural next chapter.
What makes Tom Pickard qualified to watch over someone's home?
I bring a combination of qualifications that few home watch owners in the Sussex County market can match: 27+ years of experience as a coastal Delaware homeowner, extensive hands-on knowledge of property maintenance and coastal home challenges, practical skills developed through years of helping friends and family maintain their properties, and a professional background as an educator that instilled structure, accountability, and meticulous attention to detail. I'm also an accredited member of the National Home Watch Association.
What does Tom's background as an educator bring to home watch?
My teacher's eye brings a methodical, structured, and accountable approach to every property inspection. Educators are trained to observe carefully, document thoroughly, communicate clearly, and follow through consistently — skills that translate directly into dependable home watch service. Just as a teacher leaves nothing to chance in the classroom, I leave nothing to chance during a property inspection.
How long has Tom Pickard lived in coastal Delaware?
I've lived in coastal Delaware for over 27 years, moving to Rehoboth Beach in 1999 and later settling in Lewes, where my wife Karen and I have raised our family and built lasting community relationships. This deep local knowledge is a meaningful advantage — I understand the specific challenges coastal Delaware homes face in ways that someone newer to the area simply cannot.
Does Tom Pickard personally perform every home watch inspection?
Yes. Ibis Property Oversight is an owner-operated business, and I personally perform every property inspection. When you hire Ibis Property Oversight, you're hiring me — not a rotating staff member or subcontractor. That consistency means you always know who is in your home and what standard of care your property is receiving.
What are Tom Pickard's core values as a home watch professional?
My professional approach is guided by four core values: Trust — making sure every homeowner feels confident their property is being cared for responsibly; Integrity — delivering honest, transparent, and ethical service in every interaction; Reliability — providing consistent, high-quality monitoring and dependable communication; and Clear Communication — keeping you fully informed with timely updates and detailed reports after every visit.