Owning a Second Home Shouldn't Be a Hassle - 5 Maintenance Tips to Keep Things Easy Breezy
Whether you use your second home as a vacation spot or spend extended periods of time there, it's important to keep it in top shape. But how do you go about maintaining your property when you're not there to oversee it?
Well, don't worry - we've got you covered! These tips for seasonal homeowners will help you keep your second home looking great and protect your investment.
Complete Regular Inspections
One of the best things you can do is to conduct regular inspections of your property. This will help you catch any potential issues before they turn into big, expensive problems.
Here are a few major areas to check:
Look for water leaks in the kitchen, bathrooms, ceiling, walls, garage, and outside.
Complete a yearly roof inspection for signs of damage or water intrusion.
Check for pests such as termites, ants, rodents, and birds that can cause damage.
Have your HVAC system inspected and maintained.
We know that doing all of this at once can seem a little daunting.
That's why we recommend breaking it up into smaller tasks and completing them over time. If you're staying at your second home for a few days, take on one or two of these tasks during your visit.
Alternatively, consider hiring a property manager to take care of these inspections for you. That way, you can have peace of mind knowing your second home is in good hands.
Complete Routine Maintenance
It's important to keep up with routine maintenance to ensure everything stays in top condition at your second home. While some tasks can be tackled by you during your visits, others may require a professional vendor.
Here are some areas to think about when it comes to routine maintenance:
Make sure your sump pump and backup pump (if you have one) are working properly.
Check all fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
Trim back trees and remove any dead plants.
Clean out gutters and clean off your roof of any vegetation.
Check all appliances are working properly and schedule for service if needed.
Clean Your Home
Make sure your second home is fresh and clean for your next visit by wiping down surfaces, cleaning major appliances, emptying the refrigerator, and covering your furniture just before leaving.
If this feels like too much work, hire a professional cleaning company to take care of it for you.
Secure Your Property
When it comes to protecting your seasonal home, installing an alarm system, cameras, window locks, and other security measures is a must. Particularly if you plan to be away for an extended period.
If your alarm does go off while you're out of town, it's a good idea to have a trusted neighbor who can meet with the alarm company or police for you. This is also where having a home management company taking care of your property can be helpful.
Prepare for Natural Disasters
When it comes to natural disasters, it’s better to be safe than sorry when dealing with hurricanes, floods, earthquakes or tropical storms. So it's important to take measures to protect your second home.
This may include securing outdoor furniture, installing storm shutters, and considering the installation of a sump pump or backup pump in your basement.
If you own a property in Florida, you may also want to invest in high-impact windows and a heavy-duty garage door to safeguard your property against hurricanes. These preventative steps can help protect your investment and give you peace of mind.
Bonus Tip: Hire a Home Management Company
We know it can be tough to keep up with all the maintenance tasks for your second home or vacation property (especially if you have multiple homes to take care of). And let's face it, worrying about your property when you're away can be stressful.
But guess what? Mango Management is here to make your life easier!
With our home management services, we'll take care of everything from regular inspections to monthly maintenance tasks, and even home improvement projects.
You can then kick back and relax, spending more time dipping your toes into the warm Florida waters.
