Having a vacation home is a great asset, especially if you use it to gather friends and family for special events and holidays. When you aren’t on the property, ensuring it’s clean, safe, and free from trouble is a priority. Below are five tips to follow.

How to Maintain Your Vacation Home While You’re Away

1. Add Security

Secure everything before leaving. Lock all windows and doors, and close all shades and curtains. If any locks or hardware are broken, replace them immediately. Set your exterior lighting on a timer to keep your house well-lit at night. Consider adding cameras to your security system that you can monitor from an app on our phone.

2. Continue Landscaping

When your lawn is overgrown, it’s a clear sign your vacation home is sitting vacant. Schedule regular lawn maintenance so your property looks neat and tidy. Avoiding an overgrown landscape also reduces your workload when you return. Well-maintained yards are also better for preventing critter infestations since insects and rodents love to build nests in brush and tall grass.

3. Remove Spare Keys

Make sure there are no spare keys hiding around the exterior of the house. Someone looking to break in will check under planters and rocks as well as along window and door frames. Consider upgrading to keyless entry so keys are no longer a concern.

4. Clean Up

Before leaving, give the whole house a thorough cleaning. Empty all trash cans and remove perishable foods from the refrigerator. Leave an open box of baking soda inside to absorb odors. Also, remove any open non-perishables that might go stale or attract pests. If you have a garbage disposal, clean it out to remove food particles.

5. Avoid Catastrophe

The last thing you want to happen is a flood, fire, or other disaster while you’re away from your vacation home. Unplug and drain all water-based appliances like the dishwasher and washing machine and disconnect the hoses. As for the bathroom, close the water on each toilet to prevent odors and backups, and flush drains. During the colder months, make sure the main water valve is turned off, and faucets and showers are open to drain water and prevent frozen pipes.

Since 1971, Heritage Land Co. has been providing top-notch cabins and vacation homes for rent in the Eagle Lake, CA area. They also offer real estate listings for vacation homes for those who want their very own lake house. With affordable weekly rates and fully furnished properties, their experienced team can help you find the perfect solution for your needs. Customers also have access to their professional, knowledgeable staff seven days a week. To learn about available lake house rentals, call (530) 825-2131. For more on current listings, visit them online.