Property Issues When You Are Not There

[Route246]

There must be a lot of people who take extended vacations and/or own vacation homes. How do you deal with security and maintenance issues at that property when you are not there, assuming you don't have anyone trustworthy in the area to take care of things in an emergency? This is also pertains to your primary residence if you are away from it for extended periods of time? We always have security cameras but it doesn't do much for us if we're in Europe or Asia and someone breaks a sliding glass door in the backyard that needs to be boarded up until we get home. Even though we have friends and family in the area there are some things that we would not think to ask them to resolve. Do you retain a professional property manager to keep an eye on things and work out a time and materials agreement? I'm retiring in October and we have some extended trips we may be taking with the family and there is nobody we would think of burdening with taking care of this sort of thing.

We are moving to a new neighborhood in a few years when remodeling is complete and we don't know any neighbors well enough to ask for help if this were to happen, nor would we want to burden someone with the task. Most of our reliable friends are old like us and are probably not willing or capable to take on this task. I feel bad enough when we are out of town and we see a package at the front door on our security cameras and we have to text a friend to leave it in the backyard for us.

What are things that we can consider to handle remote property issues when we are not there?

 

[Aerides]

There are probably local services that close this gap. My parents live in a 55+ community, and there are a couple of "go to" folks who take care of things while people are away, since many snowbird. These are non-residents who live nearby, and also are available for airport taxi, stuff like that.

Aside from that, being in an HOA is helpful for this sort of thing too, for exterior maintenance and security.

 

[RetiredHappy]

We live amongst many people who own 2nd/3rd homes in our community. For ourselves, we are always away for a month or 2 every winter and summer. The model used varies over here
- Hire a management company who comes by the home to flush toilets, run the faucets, check on around the home and pay them monthly or per visit fee.
- Hire under the table someone who is trusted and do the same, flush toilets... pick up mail etc and pay them per visit fee.
- Have a neighbors/friends come by and check on the home occasionally.

I also let our trusted landscaper know about our travel plans so that he knows to lookout and be more diligent about issues around the home. We used to have a trusted pool guy but he retired and sold his business to a large company so we now let our landscaper know instead.

With trash, usually just before we leave and we need someone to push out or take in garbage cans, we ask our neighbors/friends who live 10 doors down from us to do so. They also have codes through the wrought iron gates but not into our home. If needed, we can turn off our alarm and unlock our doors into the home remotely. We have cameras outside our home, inside our garage and inside the home (only turn it on when we are away).

Regarding packages, we use UPS to accept packages as we rent a box with them and have been doing so for the past 5 years. It works very well.

 

[audreyh1]

We don’t have to worry about yard maintenance as the HOA takes care of that. We forward our mail to our already established mail service if over 30 days. And we turn off water and gas. A little chlorine in the toilet bowl and covering the bowl with plastic wrap keeps bowl clean for at least 2 months. We don’t bother if only 3 weeks.

Occasionally we leave a key with a neighbor just in case of emergency, but not always. We have their numbers if we see something on a camera. We never ask someone to come in the house or check things while we are gone or collect mail.

But most of our neighbors who are gone 6 months or so do hire someone.

 

[Surewhitey]

We know young singles / couples who are available to stay for free as they call it their free B&B vacation. We know & trust them with anything though, not strangers. We also have our DD living 1 street over in a pinch.

 

[Sojourner]

We always have security cameras but it doesn't do much for us if we're in Europe or Asia and someone breaks a sliding glass door in the backyard that needs to be boarded up until we get home.

This is exactly the kind of thing that worries me about the 2nd home I inherited from my parents. It's a house in a fairly remote area several hours away, and even though I've put numerous security cams up around the property (inside and out), what can I do if there is a break-in? Even when I'm at my primary residence, it's a long drive there, so the intruders would be long gone. But the house is remote enough that even the police likely would not get there in time to intervene, and the neighbors are only there very sporadically (primarily 2nd homes for everyone nearby). So I have learned just to have the attitude of "it is what it is". The cams will alert my phone if there is a serious issue, and I'll immediately call the police and try to get in touch with someone semi-nearby to see if they can drive there ASAP to check it out. Not much more that can realistically be done.

 

[Ronstar]

When we had our snowbird condo, we had a service do monthly checks on the condo, inside and outside. And they would also handle emergencies that I would notify them of.

 

[folivier]

At our condo our nextdoor neighbor is very helpful, we gave her a key and garage door opener. We're having all roofs replaced while we're away and the contractors have had to go into all of the attics for framing work. At our cabin we gave a key to a friend in case they need to get into it. Actually got a text a few days ago asking if we needed them to grab anything in case of evacuation due to local fires. Nope, nothing that can't be replaced. The condo HOA will take care of any exterior problems while we're gone and any interior problems should wait until we're back. At the cabin we'll rely on our friends for any problems. I do have Wyze cameras at both and the garage door opener at our condo gives me an alert whenever it opens.

 

[YellowSubmarine]

I have two large homes...E Ohio and C Florida. During my absence, for security I have multiple monitoring/recording cameras, smart switching electric lights. I also have pool and lawn service that work on the property throughout the year. They would contact me with any noticeable deficiencies. I do shut off the water main and lock out the garage door function. Further, I have double deadbolts on the exterior doors. Mail is forwarded; and a friend picks up my junk mail on a weekly basis or so. I never had a problem; but I am street-wise; hence the precautions. My main issue are the gardens and orchards. For the most part, seven weeks at a time, nature takes its course...weeds. (lawn service does not do weeds). In Ohio, I planted 12 rows of sweet corn . It's pretty much a low maintenance crop; and should be ready for harvest within three weeks; and I'll be there for it. Just got to cover your bases and if there's a failure, we got insurance.

 

[1242Vintage]

Had new neighbors from hell a few years back.

Came home from a trip and our back fence was gone AND the acreage where my citrus orchard exists between where the fence was and my creek was now all landscaped with bark and stone pathways WTF!!!!

I called the new owner of the home behind us and the lady says,” our realtor said their lot extends a couple acres all the way to the creek.” Wrong!

After getting no where with the wife, walked the lot with the husband and showed him where the property corners are … they are marked with rebar concreted in the ground. Corners are right where the fence was. He agreed with the property line. Wife was NOT happy and tried to convince me that we should “share” the back acreage of my lot anyway since I don’t use it very much.

HELL NO!!!

The husband acknowledged their error and within a week all the landscaping material was removed and a new fence was constructed, complete with a gate … which I promptly slapped a large padlock on and threw away the key.

And the city-slicker lady wasn’t done. She had a playground built on the back of her lot for her small children. I advised the husband that we frequently get rattlesnakes around the creek and that playground with several large flat warm boulders is a perfect snake habitat. Suggested he or wife inspect the play area daily before letting their toddlers use it. He wasn’t happy!

And that’s still not the end. Several months later as winter approached she had several new 4” plastic drainage lines put in that terminate at the property line. You can’t just collect and concentrate overland flow like rainwater in a pipe and dump it on and adjacent property. I explained drainage law and situation to the husband, gave him time to remedy, and when that didn’t happen, I plugged the outlets with concrete.

They have since moved and my new neighbors are lovely and very respectful of property rights.

 

[RetiredHappy]

Had new neighbors from hell a few years back.

Came home from a trip and our back fence was gone AND the acreage where my citrus orchard exists between where the fence was and my creek was now all landscaped with bark and stone pathways WTF!!!!

I called the new owner of the home behind us and the lady says,” our realtor said their lot extends a couple acres all the way to the creek.” Wrong!

After getting no where with the wife, walked the lot with the husband and showed him where the property corners are … they are marked with rebar concreted in the ground. Corners are right where the fence was. He agreed with the property line. Wife was NOT happy and tried to convince me that we should “share” the back acreage of my lot anyway since I don’t use it very much.

HELL NO!!!

The husband acknowledged their error and within a week all the landscaping material was removed and a new fence was constructed, complete with a gate … which I promptly slapped a large padlock on and threw away the key.

And the city-slicker lady wasn’t done. She had a playground built on the back of her lot for her small children. I advised the husband that we frequently get rattlesnakes around the creek and that playground with several large flat warm boulders is a perfect snake habitat. Suggested he or wife inspect the play area daily before letting their toddlers use it. He wasn’t happy!

And that’s still not the end. Several months later as winter approached she had several new 4” plastic drainage lines put in that terminate at the property line. You can’t just collect and concentrate overland flow like rainwater in a pipe and dump it on and adjacent property. I explained drainage law and situation to the husband, gave him time to remedy, and when that didn’t happen, I plugged the outlets with concrete.

They have since moved and my new neighbors are lovely and very respectful of property rights.

One heck of a nasty woman.

 

[old medic]

Brother lives next door and has always looked after our place and critters while we are away. No more critters. We were gone when Helene hit and we came home to the generator pulled out with fridge freezer running.

 

[skyking1]

Wow vintage you win the day for neighbors from hell.
I am networking extensively at the new home site. My three closest neighbors are older ladies that I have cultivated a great relationship with.
I think we will be able to get live in caretakers like @Surewhitey has mentioned. The house is big and suited for that.
Just not that one nephew

 

[savory]

There are house sitting sites. DW and I have been house sitters and we have used them. Your anxiety level will be based on trust and your concern about your stuff mostly being damaged vs stolen. Not that it will be damaged intentionally but accidents do happen.

One reason we started renting is to not have to worry about the structure. Locking the door and leaving is easy for us. If all our stuff gets ruined, it is easily and affordably replaceable. And if the structure has an issue, it is not our concern. I’m happy to allow access to the landlord in case something needs to be addressed.

 

[audreyh1]

Had new neighbors from hell a few years back.

Came home from a trip and our back fence was gone AND the acreage where my citrus orchard exists between where the fence was and my creek was now all landscaped with bark and stone pathways WTF!!!!

I called the new owner of the home behind us and the lady says,” our realtor said their lot extends a couple acres all the way to the creek.” Wrong!

After getting no where with the wife, walked the lot with the husband and showed him where the property corners are … they are marked with rebar concreted in the ground. Corners are right where the fence was. He agreed with the property line. Wife was NOT happy and tried to convince me that we should “share” the back acreage of my lot anyway since I don’t use it very much.

HELL NO!!!

The husband acknowledged their error and within a week all the landscaping material was removed and a new fence was constructed, complete with a gate … which I promptly slapped a large padlock on and threw away the key.

And the city-slicker lady wasn’t done. She had a playground built on the back of her lot for her small children. I advised the husband that we frequently get rattlesnakes around the creek and that playground with several large flat warm boulders is a perfect snake habitat. Suggested he or wife inspect the play area daily before letting their toddlers use it. He wasn’t happy!

And that’s still not the end. Several months later as winter approached she had several new 4” plastic drainage lines put in that terminate at the property line. You can’t just collect and concentrate overland flow like rainwater in a pipe and dump it on and adjacent property. I explained drainage law and situation to the husband, gave him time to remedy, and when that didn’t happen, I plugged the outlets with concrete.

They have since moved and my new neighbors are lovely and very respectful of property rights.

Wow, I can’t believe they took down your fence!!!

 

[Buckeye]

My concern is always water damage so we have installed a whole house monitoring system (Phyn) and Yolink pucks that alert me on my phone if they detect water. They are placed at all the toilets, sinks, at the refrigerator (water dispenser), and at the dishwasher. I can turn the water off to the house remotely on my Phyn app or I can set it to do it itself if it sees something odd. The Phyn saves me a couple hundred dollars on my homeowners insurance a year.

 

[YellowSubmarine]

Had new neighbors from hell a few years back.

Came home from a trip and our back fence was gone AND the acreage where my citrus orchard exists between where the fence was and my creek was now all landscaped with bark and stone pathways WTF!!!!

I called the new owner of the home behind us and the lady says,” our realtor said their lot extends a couple acres all the way to the creek.” Wrong!

After getting no where with the wife, walked the lot with the husband and showed him where the property corners are … they are marked with rebar concreted in the ground. Corners are right where the fence was. He agreed with the property line. Wife was NOT happy and tried to convince me that we should “share” the back acreage of my lot anyway since I don’t use it very much.

HELL NO!!!

The husband acknowledged their error and within a week all the landscaping material was removed and a new fence was constructed, complete with a gate … which I promptly slapped a large padlock on and threw away the key.

And the city-slicker lady wasn’t done. She had a playground built on the back of her lot for her small children. I advised the husband that we frequently get rattlesnakes around the creek and that playground with several large flat warm boulders is a perfect snake habitat. Suggested he or wife inspect the play area daily before letting their toddlers use it. He wasn’t happy!

And that’s still not the end. Several months later as winter approached she had several new 4” plastic drainage lines put in that terminate at the property line. You can’t just collect and concentrate overland flow like rainwater in a pipe and dump it on and adjacent property. I explained drainage law and situation to the husband, gave him time to remedy, and when that didn’t happen, I plugged the outlets with concrete.

They have since moved and my new neighbors are lovely and very respectful of property rights.

Lot of butt holes out there and some really stink.

 

[planuntilthefisthits]

We leave our home for occasional vacations that sometimes are 30-days. For security, we have eight cameras inside and outside. We have remote-access keypads, allowing us to share a code if needed—or unlock remotely. We have one neighbor who I would trust in a pinch. I’ve still got to program those wireless water detectors.

We have made peace with the possibility that we may come home someday to a burgled or water-damaged home. That is part of the price we are prepared to accept for having fun traveling. For the last 33 years, we have beaten the odds.

 

[RetiredHappy]

We turned off our water main one time and my pool guy told me that it was a bad idea when we came back as the pool stopped filling up. So... we now just leave the water turned on while we travel. I figure if we get water damage, we will do another remodel, this time it will be the kitchen and we will redo the wood floor. We bought this home in 2021 and the previous owners had put in wood floor at separate times, so while they are nice and of good quality, but you can tell that the bedroom floors and the living/dining floors are slightly different. I wouldn't mind getting all new floors but I don't have any urgency. Same thing with the kitchen, it's functional with high end appliances that still work and nothing is broken - granite countertop, drawers that roll out, Sub-Zero, Viking,... but it could be modernized.

 

[OldShooter]

DS has a handyman business that he has developed on the lake where our family has vacationed for years. He lives on the lake year-around. He has a number of properties that he watches either for a fee or because he regularly does work for them. He knows the area well enough that he can spot driveways with tire tracks or cars that should not be there. Each spring he opens a number of properties for the season prior to the owners' arrival, including checking for problems arising from frozen plumbing and electrical problems arising from fallen trees. He also puts in and pulls docks and boat lifts for many.

I keep telling him that he should get some business cards, but he says that the last thing he wants is more business or to have other people working for him. He turns down most potential new business and all inquiries from people he doesn't like.

 

[Northforker]

We travel extensively by RV and are away from our home more than we are home. We have driven to Alaska, Newfoundland, every Canadian Province and all of the lower 48. Our house is on a dead end lane in a very rural area. Our neighbors are 200 to 400 yards away. We have a simplisafe security system that can be remotely monitored and controlled both by us and by simplisafe. We turned off the well pump, the hot water heater, the propane to the house in the summer. We bleed the pressure off of the pipes. We leave the propane on in the winter to run the furnace. My brother comes by once a week to check the yard for downed limbs. the neighbor cuts the grass as needed in the summer. We have a dozen solar powered motion lights mounted around the house and the barn that come on if tripped. It is impossible to approach the house from any direction without tripping a motion light. We have 4 lights inside the house that are on timers. Our daughter picks up our held mail from the post office once a month and sorts it for important mail which is rare because almost all of our bills are auto payed or online paid. Our biggest concern is a large tree falling on the house or barn, or a severe hail/wind storm. We have been using this approach since 2017 without an issue. Something may happen one day, but our freedom and memories made are more than worth the risks.

 

[Dash man]

For our Florida condo we turn off the water and lock it. Occasionally we have family use it while we’re up north. For our primary home we’ve had the same neighbors on each side and across the street for 24 years. We let them know if we’re away and they can call or text us. Our two sons also live nearby and can handle most things. We always turn off the water before we leave on trips and have cameras all around the outside. A lawn service care for the yard and shrubs/trees.
Our Jersey Shore beach house has always been our primary concern. One neighbor lives there year round and has our contact info. We can give workers codes to enter the house and we have cameras. We also shut off the water and have heat tape on exposed pipes. So far so good.

 

[gromit]

A new thread on this is a good thing, because technology rapidly changes what's available for some of the issues.

However, some older threads might also still have some relevant info.
Tips when leaving home
Post #3 in that thread also lists a few other older threads.

 

[ponyboy]

This is what homeowners insurance is for. Turn the water off before you leave. All the security cameras in the world isn't going to stop someone from breaking in. I have a few and they're basically pointless.

 

[pb4uski]

For our Texas winter home, DS, DD, DSIL and 3 of my 4 sisters and 2 BILs live nearby (20 min or less) so if something arises that I note from the security camera or wifi thermostat I can call on them.

For our Vermont summer home, I also have security cameras and wifi thermostats and a BIL and friend who can go there in a pinch. I also have a relationship with a local pumbing & heating co that I have called and gave them the code to get in to diagnose and repair when we have had no heat.