3 Tips for Maintaining your Luxury Vacation Home in the Off-Season
The good thing about a vacation home is that you always have a getaway when you need it. The bad thing is that you're not always there to keep it looking in tip-top shape. As the summer season is coming to a close, it is important to consider how you plan to maintain your home in the offseason so it is in perfect condition when you return next summer.
If you're considering purchasing a luxury waterfront home at the Lake of the Ozarks, or you're looking to sell your luxury vacation home at the Lake of the Ozarks, Matt Schrimpf is your Lake of the Ozarks real estate expert in luxury lake living.
In addition to routine maintenance, you should have a plan for emergencies as well. In the event of a pipe bursting, storm damage, or other major problems, you will need someone who can get and fix the problem right away. Have a list of local electricians, plumbers, HVAC, and other services prepared so you can call right away should you need to.
Long-distance electronic monitoring can tell you when something happens in the house, no matter where you are. These systems can notify you when anything out of the ordinary happens such as an alarm being triggered, a loss in power, or a high water level in the basement. Long-distance control devices allow you to control electronic appliances like lights, garage door activators, alarms, and thermostats. This gives you the ability to switch on the heat during an extreme cold spell, turn the lights on and off to create a lived-in look, or check that the alarm was set after you left.
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If you're considering purchasing a luxury waterfront home at the Lake of the Ozarks, or you're looking to sell your luxury vacation home at the Lake of the Ozarks, Matt Schrimpf is your Lake of the Ozarks real estate expert in luxury lake living.
1. Hire a property manager or caretaker
One of the easiest and most effective ways to maintain your vacation home is by hiring someone to be there when you can't be. Property management and caretaker companies range in price and services they offer. A caretaker can do as little as simply stopping in every once in awhile to make sure everything looks okay and responding to the alarm system. On the other hand, you can hire property management companies that take care of all the details, from stocking the fridge to heating up the hot tub in preparation for your arrival. Whether you want full-service property management or you prefer to do most of the upkeep yourself is up to you. While some people like having projects to work on, others like to completely relax and not have to lift a finger.
2. Schedule routine maintenance
Leaving a house vacant for weeks or months at a time can result in a multitude of issues. Pipes can freeze, trees can fall, or the grass could simply overgrow. Depending on the location of your vacation home, the elements may be harsher than what you're used to keeping up with for your primary residence. For example, your lake home may be surrounded by trees, your mountain house may receive several feet of snow, or your beach home may be exposed to salty sea wind. Ask for referrals from neighbors or speak with your property manager about scheduling routine maintenance for the interior and exterior of your home. It is important to hire someone to trim the trees, touch up the paint, cut the grass, stain the deck, or perform maintenance on the dock - especially in the offseason. It is also important to maintain the interior of your home. Hiring a cleaning service not only keeps away unwanted bugs or dust, but it also lets any potential burglars know that the home is being looked after and routinely kept up with.In addition to routine maintenance, you should have a plan for emergencies as well. In the event of a pipe bursting, storm damage, or other major problems, you will need someone who can get and fix the problem right away. Have a list of local electricians, plumbers, HVAC, and other services prepared so you can call right away should you need to.
3. Utilize technology.
Keeping up with your home from hundreds or thousands of miles away is easier now than ever. Thanks to new technology, your home can be more secure, and the process of opening and closing your home at the end of the season can be simplified. Utilizing a keyless entry system allows maintenance personnel to enter the home without someone being around to let them in, and you can simply change the password on your phone after they leave. This can also eliminate the problem of showing up to your second home only to realize you forgot the keys.Long-distance electronic monitoring can tell you when something happens in the house, no matter where you are. These systems can notify you when anything out of the ordinary happens such as an alarm being triggered, a loss in power, or a high water level in the basement. Long-distance control devices allow you to control electronic appliances like lights, garage door activators, alarms, and thermostats. This gives you the ability to switch on the heat during an extreme cold spell, turn the lights on and off to create a lived-in look, or check that the alarm was set after you left.
Having a vacation home is living the American dream. It is the ideal place to get the whole family together and it is always there when you need an escape from the day-to-day. A home that holds so many memories with family and friends is important to you, and following these tips can help you feel more comfortable leaving your home vacant in the offseason.
If you're looking to find your dream home at the Lake of the Ozarks so you can have a place to relax and enjoy the rewards of the hard work you've put in, Matt Schrimpf is here to assist you. He is an expert on luxury living at the Lake of the Ozarks. Please reach out for more information or visit our website to view the best waterfront homes for sale at the Lake of the Ozarks.
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