There is no question about it, a home is a valuable asset— one of the biggest and most significant a person can own. For all homeowners, some degree of time and energy is required to aid in the home’s appreciation and make it a space worth living in. Routine maintenance is a constant responsibility as is protection against theft and vandalism.
Given the responsibilities involved, many forgo favorable opportunities to invest in a second property, seeing an increase in value year over year while finding enjoyment within the walls of a beautiful home. In reality, owning a second home can be much less stressful than maintaining and protecting your primary residence— it’s just a matter of knowing how to do it correctly.
How Do I Maintain a Home in My Absence?
Above is perhaps the most important question to consider when buying a second home. Luckily, there are simple answers. Here are a few of them provided by your Winter Park real estate experts at Lakota.
Create a Departure Checklist
When ending a stay at your Winter Park vacation home, make sure that you have a concrete departure checklist that is visited before doors are locked behind you. Some important items to include on such a checklist include:
- Unplug everything
- Turn off all the lights
- Set your heat or air conditioning to a safe temperature
- Make sure perishable foods are discarded and waste is removed
- Check your sump pump
- Clean the house thoroughly
- Conduct an inspection of each room to ensure no important items are left behind
- Close and lock all windows and main doors
- Check the rain gutters
Befriend Your Neighbors
Establishing a good rapport with your neighbors not only helps you finish those cookies when you are short an egg or some butter, but it can also make your life a lot easier as a property owner. Having someone to call in the event of a home emergency in your absence, or for a simple walkthrough, can be very important. Neighbor to neighbor relationships can create significant mutual benefit. Once trust is established, you can help each other out when either party is in a pinch. In addition, a greater feeling of community be achieved, an invaluable thing to a resident in any area.
Rent Out Your Property
It is no secret that renting vacation property can be lucrative. Utilizing services like Airbnb can be a simple way to subsidize and, in many ways, protect your property while you’re away. According to Earnest, nearly half of all Airbnb hosts make more than $500 per month— a substantial sum considering it is just an average.
Vacation home rental can also provide a level of property protection. Not only can it reduce the likelihood of theft, but any glaring maintenance issues can be pinpointed and addressed before they become costly. Moreover, those visiting would be liable for any significant damage incurred during their stay.
Plan Frequent Visits
In coordination with the tip above, visiting your property frequently is a good way to ensure its overall and lasting health. When you own a second home, the stress of planning trips is greatly mitigated. Once simple travel logistics are addressed, you are good to go.
Consider Security
Home security is a great way to keep an eye on your property from afar. Technology has introduced us to simple, affordable security and surveillance solutions that can bring peace of mind to any second homeowner.
As an added bonus, having a home security system can save you up to 20% per year on homeowners insurance according to safewise.
Buy Smart
Last but not least, one of the most important steps to ensuring long-term property health is to buy a sound property to begin with. Don’t buy a project as a second home; such a decision will likely bring about unfavorable outcomes.
At Lakota, we know Winter Park real estate and only sell sound, lasting homes. With us, your Winter Park vacation property will be both beautiful and reliable. For any and all inquiries regarding the purchase of a second home in the lovely Winter Park, Colorado, contact us today.