Vacation Home Maintenance: How To Take Care Of Your Second Home

Thinking about buying a second home? Consider how much upkeep it may require before making a decision.

Just like your primary residence, your vacation home requires regular care and attention. You’ll need a plan of action, and depending on how much time you spend away, you may need to hire additional help. Follow these tips on vacation home maintenance and learn why it’s essential, plus common problems to look out for.

Vacation Home Maintenance Tips

Vacation home maintenance is vital, especially if you plan to spend most of the year at your primary residence. You can easily maintain your condo, beach home, cottage or something similar by following these tips.

Create A Vacation Home Maintenance Checklist

Creating a checklist can be a helpful way to keep up with vacation home maintenance. Here are several routine vacation home maintenance tasks to consider:

• Shut off the main water supply
• Turn off the water heater
• Empty and unplug the refrigerator
• Remove all food from cupboards and pantries
• Close the chimney flue
• Remove ashes from woodstoves and fireplaces
• Clean storm drains
• Clean the gutters
• Shut off all lights
• Close blinds
• Empty the trash
• Check the yard for items to bring inside
• Add storm windows if necessary
• Lock all doors and windows

Install A Security System

Installing a security system can be a helpful way to keep up with vacation home maintenance while you’re away. Not only can a security system help deter thieves and trespassers, but it can also alert owners and authorities if there’s suspicious activity. Be sure to check on local ordinances in your area to know where you can legally place cameras.

Utilize Smart Home Technology

Utilizing smart home technology can be a helpful way to alleviate stress and keep up with vacation home maintenance. For example, smart home devices can detect and alert you to leaks from burst pipes or other sources. Smart smoke detectors also work similarly to traditional ones but can send an alert to your smartphone when an alarm goes off.

Some smart home devices have the added benefit of allowing you to connect to your security devices using a mobile app or voice assistant and monitor your vacation home while you’re away. Some can even give you real-time alerts if there’s activity, and you could scare intruders away with two-way audio.

Hire A Property Manager

If you rent out your vacation home, a property manager can help look after your vacation home while you’re away. The property manager can inspect the property before and after renters arrive and look for major or minor issues that must be addressed. Short-term renters may result in extra wear and tear on your property, but it also means your home will receive regular maintenance.

Keep Up With Landscaping

Many municipalities and HOAs require regular mowing and landscaping. Consider maintenance-free grasses, bushes and plants that don’t require as much attention while you’re away. Another option is to use hardscaping or rock gardens, which require no maintenance at all. You can also hire a landscaping company to keep everything neat and trimmed when you’re at your primary residence.

Consider A Vacation Home Cleaning And Maintenance Service

A vacation home cleaning and maintenance service can provide regular upkeep and perform preventative maintenance on your vacation home. Services and prices can vary between companies, so research the best local companies, what services they offer and their prices.

Why Vacation Home Maintenance Is Important

Vacation home maintenance offers homeowners plenty of benefits. Here’s why regular upkeep is important.

Avoids Hidden Costs

Maintenance can help you catch small issues before they become big, and expensive, problems. Regular inspections can help identify plumbing leaks or pest infestations, which can be costly to fix if left unattended. Preparing the home for different seasons, such as winterizing the pipes or checking the home’s heating and cooling system, helps avoid weather-related damages.

Prevents Long-Term Damage

Maintenance can also help homeowners prevent long-term damage. By catching problems early on, like a burst pipe, you can avoid additional damage to your home. Preventing long-term can also ensure the home’s structural elements remain sound and extend the lifespan of appliances and major home systems.

Ensures Compliance With HOA Rules

If you live in a homeowners association (HOA), regular vacation home maintenance will ensure your property remains compliant with the HOA’s rules. Most HOAs have specific rules regarding mowing expectations, weeding, trash and recycling, parking, vehicles and more. Renters are subject to the same HOA rules if you rent out your home.

Provides Safety And Security

Avoid electrical and fire hazards by regularly checking smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, electrical systems other important systems to ensure the home is still safe to occupy. Home maintenance inspections can also help identify potential health hazards, such as mold growth. Addressing these concerns can create a secure environment when you spend time at your second home.

Common Vacation Home Problems To Look Out For

There are common vacation home problems to look out for, including:

• Mold growth: Excess moisture, particularly in the summer, can lead to mold growth. Look for signs of mold or mildew in damp areas of the home like the bathrooms, kitchen and basement.
• Leaks and water damage: Leaks and water damage are common vacation home problems to look out for. Check for window or roof leaks, leaking pipes and clean out the gutters to prevent water buildup.
• Pest infestations: Pests are more likely to enter an unoccupied home and lead to an infestation. Check for common signs of pest activity and perform pest control treatments as necessary.
• Landscaping problems: If you’re away during the warmer months, overgrowth can quickly get out of hand. Consider adding peat moss and mulch to trees and shrubs to help retain as much moisture as possible while you’re away.
• Seasonal challenges: Winter weather and severe storms can cause property damage. Winterizing the home and preparing it for possible stormy weather while you’re away.

The Cost Of Vacation Home Maintenance

Depending on how much upkeep you do yourself, vacation home maintenance can be costly. Experts typically recommend setting aside 1% of the total purchase price of the property for home maintenance costs each year. On a $400,000 home, that would be $4,000. According to Angi, U.S. homeowners spent $2,458 on maintenance services in 2023.

Additionally, you’ll need to purchase a separate homeowners insurance policy for your second home to protect the structure and your personal belongings. Homeowners insurance is typically higher for vacation homes, and there may be a larger mandatory deductible due to the higher risk of damages when you’re away for long periods.

Vacation Homes Vs. Vacation Rental Homes

If you plan to rent out the home and earn rental income, there are differences between vacation homes and vacation rental homes. Mortgage lenders typically require a larger down payment for a rental property loan and may have stricter requirements to qualify for the loan. The IRS also views vacation homes and vacation rental homes differently for tax purposes. By IRS guidelines, a vacation home can be rented out for up to 14 nights each year without needing to report rental income. Anything beyond that is considered a rental property, but you may be able to qualify for tax breaks.

The Bottom Line: You Can Take Care Of A Vacation Home From Afar

Before purchasing a vacation home, carefully consider how you’ll maintain your home while you’re away. A maintenance checklist can help you stay on top of regular upkeep. If you’re unable to visit frequently, there are other options available, such as hiring a property manager if you rent out the home or hiring professional home service companies to take care of necessary tasks.

Already have a vacation home? Learn more about how to budget for home maintenance costs.