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Second Home Sense – Saves Time, Money & Headaches
The old adage “Penny Wise and Pound Foolish” really applies to second home owners. A faucet runs slowly, the toilet leaks quietly, the pool overfill sensor is broken, a slight water stain grows on the ceiling, mold forms under a dripping pipe, the water heater springs a leak, or a large branch falls on the roof. All of these are easily fixed if caught in time. However, left unchecked these repairs can be costly. Multiple property owners must be aware of the many situations that can ruin their investment. Many second homes sit empty for 3 to 6 months at a time. Are you ready, or will you be caught off guard?
How do second home owners and vacation home owners watch over their valuable properties? Some choose to trust fate, while many others are turning to home watch services, and electronic devices to help detect and avert potential disasters. Statistics show that upkeep, maintenance and repairs are the greatest concern for second home owners. Home watch services provide routine checks of your property on an agreed upon schedule. They can visit weekly or monthly and do both outside and inside inspections. An easy way to locate a reputable home watch service in your area is to contact a local real estate agent. In many instances, Realtors themselves will watch homes for their clients. Realtors are also a great resource for repairs because they must maintain relationships with all types of service companies in their area. While electronic devises are nice, they can’t replace the reasoning required to access and solve most problems that can arise.
Home Watch Services can include the following:
- Walk the exterior checking for opened windows, doors or damage
- Test the alarm system and or respond to alarm calls
- Inspect lighting inside and out
- Check any timers for accurate on/off times
- Inspect all plumbing for leaks
- Run all faucets and flush all toilets
- Set thermostat and humidistat to proper settings
- Look to see if any breakers have tripped in the breaker panel
- Clean up any dead bugs or critters
- Start up or drive cars to keep tuned
- Charge electric golf carts
- Collect accumulated mail or papers
- Inspect pool and hot tub for maintenance
- Water houseplants
- Replace batteries in Smoke Detectors
- Reset blinking electrical appliances after power surges or outages
- Draw blinds
- Visually check for signs of pests or rodents
- Replace burned out light bulbs
- Look for water damage signs
- Inspect all windows and doors for signs of forced entry or attempts
- Test the security of all door and window locks
- Check the roof and gutter system
- Look over all outside faucets
- Coordinate snow removal
- Check for storm water drainage and signs of flooding
- Test the furnace and or air conditioner
- Check all appliances
Time taken now to secure your property will solve many easy to fix problems that can and do arise over time. Second home sense will save you time, money and headaches. A second home with a beautiful view is good, but a second home with a beautiful view and a protection plan is GREAT!
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