As anyone with a taste for travel and the finer things in life will know, owning a place in the sun is the final piece of the puzzle when it comes to planning relaxing holidays away.
Here, we take a look at some home maintenance tips to help you keep your second property in great shape. Follow our pointers and your dream property will always be ready to go when the stress builds up and you need somewhere of your own to unwind.
When it comes to home maintenance, not all properties are equal. Some can be demanding on their owners, while others will sit happily untouched for months at a time. When shopping for a second home, it can often be smart to look for something more modern that's less likely to come with costly issues. If your heart is set on a period property, be sure to carry out thorough surveys at the time of purchase, and to look out for common problems such as damp or windows and doors in need of replacement.
Choosing a low-maintenance home will get you off to a great start, but it can also be smart to put some preventative measures in place too. Carrying out regular services on household appliances like boilers can help avoid the headache of finding a remedy from thousands of miles away.
Local management is always a possibility. No matter how modern and well cared for your vacation home may be, it's inevitable that there'll be some work to do when you're away. Property management companies can take care of everything, from cleaning the property, to renting out your home while you're away.
Sometimes the key to keeping a property ticking over lies in regular use. If vacation properties are left vacant for long periods of time, it's not unusual for certain things such as appliances to seize up and become unusable. The simplest way to avoid this is to keep the property occupied.
Sublets are a smart financial move for second-home owners. In addition to the benefits of giving your apartment or villa some use, you'll also secure a secondary income, which can be used to offset the costs of running an additional home. It's no secret that vacation homes can double up as a shrewd capital investment. The question now is whether to let short-term or long-term. Short holiday lets have a high yield, and keep your property open for personal use. However, long-term lets are more stable and often require considerably less work.
Modern surveillance technology allows owners to keep a close eye on their property when far away. From CCTV cameras to video door bells, there's a whole host of gadgets that can help you look out for your home. Again, preventing damage is one of your most powerful tools for warding off the need for active home maintenance. Another option could be hiring a housekeeper to help you keep an eye on things.
Therefore, with the right approach and the right contacts, distance need not be an issue when it comes to maintaining your second home.
