An overseas vacation home is the epitome of many people's dreams—a private retreat in a nice location. Inevitably, however, one faces frustrations related to maintaining this in another country. Looking after your holiday home while you are away calls for careful planning and frequent maintenance. This ultimate checklist walks you through the necessary processes to help you keep your vacation home safe, secure, and well-maintained.
Make sure everything is in proper working condition by following these steps before you set sail from Fort Lauderdale or anywhere else on vacation, set sail, or venture out on any kind of journey from this vacation home.
Secure Your Property
The first thing you would do to ensure that the vacation home may safely stay empty is to ensure that it is indeed safe. Have in place a good house security system, complete with cameras and motion detectors, along with the alarm raising an alert on your end in case something suspicious happens. Ensure that windows and doors are locked correctly, and consider deadbolts or security bars. Lessen the appearance that you will be away by automating your lighting with timers or smart home systems. Hiring a local, reputable caretaker, who periodically checks up on one's property, brings great peace of mind since they can deal with emergencies or simple cohesions.
Routine Maintenance
Regular maintenance prevents small issues from turning into major problems. Make sure the plumbing and electrical systems are in good condition, and fix any leaks or faulty wiring before going. Regular pest control treatments will ensure you do not have an infestation take over the unit. If it is allowed to get out of hand, it may cause serious damage. The heating and cooling air-conditioning systems have cleaning filters and regularly scheduled time with professionals to keep them running efficiently.
Utility Management
Utility management could save unwarranted costs along with probable damage. Unless somebody occupies the house for a long period, turning off the main water supply might be the wisest decision to avoid leakage that would cause damage. This ensures the thermostat is in an energy-saving mode suitable for your local climate. Ensures very high or very low temperatures that might cause negative damage to your furniture and home appliances are prevented. Nonessential appliances at home need to be turned off to not only save energy but also prevent electrical fires.
Legal and Financial Issues
Acquainting oneself with local laws is hard enough. Having a vacation home in a foreign country, let alone managing the finances, only adds to it. Familiarize yourself with the laws on property, taxes, and tenancy rules in your area to know what the law expects. Have full property insurance that covers all types of risks—like natural disasters, theft, and liability—and periodically review it for suitability. If you plan to rent out your vacation home, be sure to maintain full records of your income and expenses and comply with your local rental regulations.
Emergency Planning
No matter how much anyone plans, emergencies will occur. Be prepared for an emergency by being sure that your caretaker and neighbors have your contact information in case an emergency occurs and what they should do. Keep a list of local service providers: plumbers, electricians, and locksmiths, whom you can call in times of need and who will respond promptly. Develop a communication plan with your caretaker to get periodic updates on any problems emerging, and the problem will be immediately fixed.
Conclusion
When the vacation home is in another country, one has to make sure that it is going to be okay throughout its lifetime by planning and making regular maintenance checks. This ultimate protection checklist will give you peace of mind during its absence: secure the property, perform routine maintenance, attend to utilities, observe local laws, and prepare for unexpected situations.
