Mission:
We are trusted stewards of exceptional homes, dedicated to protecting the investment, preserving the lifestyle, and delivering complete peace of mind for discerning homeowners.
Familiar faces. Flawless care.
Every relationship we build starts with one thing: trust. This is where that begins.
I've spent my career building things that require people to trust each other: partnerships, relationships, teams, deals. In every case, the foundation was the same — show up consistently, do what you say you're going to do, and treat the people you're working with the way you'd want to be treated. When I found When You’re Not Home, I recognized that same foundation immediately. This business had a foundation of trust. My job was to build on it.
Dan and I have been deeply embedded in the North Scottsdale and Paradise Valley luxury real estate community for years — not just professionally. We've been inside these homes, managed their care, overseen their renovations, and understood their systems in a way that only comes from genuine hands-on involvement. We are licensed REALTORS, and what we've seen in that work has only deepened our belief that these homes — and the families who love them — deserve a higher standard of care than most services provide.
We believe your home should be cared for the way you would care for it yourself — if you were there. That's the standard we hold our team to, every single week.
~ Laara
About Us.
Laara van Loben Sels, Owner
Laara acquired When You're Not Home with a clear intention: to build on a 20-year legacy of trusted property care and bring it into a new era. With nearly two decades in real estate and a background in residential home performance, she brings a rare combination of technical insight and personal service to every property she oversees. Her clients are seasonal and absentee homeowners who trust her to anticipate problems, coordinate trusted partners, and ensure their home is exactly as they left it — or better — whenever they return
Dan Volcko, Co-Owner
Dan brings a depth of hands-on expertise that sets When You're Not Home apart. With a background spanning architecture, development, project management, and real estate — and a career as a Phoenix Fire Fighter — Dan approaches every property with precision, calm, and an eye for what others miss. He leads project coordination and vendor oversight, ensuring that every repair, improvement, and inspection meets the standard these homes deserve.
What we believe.
Your home should be cared for the way you would care for it yourself — proactively, completely, and without you having to ask twice.
Discretion is not optional. What happens in your home stays between you and us.
The right thing, done consistently, is the only standard that matters.
About the business.
When You’re Not Home has been caring for luxury residences in the North Scottsdale area since 2008. The foundation — the team, the client relationships, the operational knowledge built across hundreds of properties — was established over more than fifteen years. When Laara acquired the business, she built on that foundation while adding the structure and professionalism the business always deserved.
Today, When You’re Not Home is a full-scale “home key concierge” that is fully insured, family-owned operation serving more than 140 clients across Desert Mountain, Troon, Pinnacle Peak, Cave Creek, Carefree, Fountain Hills, Paradise Valley, and TerraVita — with a combined portfolio of over $270 million in luxury residential real estate. Our clients don't think of us as a service provider. They think of us as the people who know their home.
What our
clients say.
“Laara and Dan have been caretakers of our Fountain Hills home for the last 12 years. It is comforting to have someone you can rely on who is honestly looking out for their clients.”
“Dan and Laara have always been extremely reliable and trustworthy. We would highly recommend them for anyone who needs help and caretaking with any property.”