| Is your friendly neighbor watching over your | | | | you too. Expect higher rates with a property |
| vacation home while you are away for the | | | | management company though. |
| season? If so, you might want to think twice | | | | If you are just looking for a person to come |
| about that decision. If you have a seasonal home, | | | | around and walk through the home for your own |
| you know someone has to look out for it when | | | | peace of mind, but will not need a lot of |
| you are not around. If you do not have family | | | | maintenance and are not interested in renting out |
| close to your vacation property, chances are you | | | | the home, a home watch company is probably |
| have asked a neighbor to watch over your home. | | | | your best bet. These services provide regular |
| You just need to remember that watching over | | | | visits to your home while you're gone. They tend |
| your home is different than securing and | | | | to offer twice weekly, weekly, bi-monthly, or |
| maintaining it. For example, if you need to have | | | | monthly visits to the home to check and make |
| multiple service people coming in and out of the | | | | sure everything is okay. In the event they find a |
| home and want your neighbor to let these people | | | | problem, they will make the necessary |
| in and out, you have gone too far. That is taking | | | | arrangements to handle it, so you do not have to |
| up a considerable amount of your neighbor's time. | | | | worry. This will cost more than a neighbor, but |
| Maybe you have a cabin in a colder climate and | | | | the fees are generally very reasonable. The price |
| have asked your neighbor to keep the driveway | | | | will be worth it, as they are trained to do this sort |
| and walkways clear of snow or ice. Again, this is | | | | of thing and will certainly do a better job than the |
| just too much to ask. | | | | neighbor. |
| As an alternative to the person next door, | | | | It is okay to ask people in the neighborhood to |
| arrange for professional maintenance and security | | | | keep an eye out for anything unusal or suspicious |
| service before you leave. For snow removal or | | | | at your vacation property. That is what good |
| lawn care, you should be able to sign a contract | | | | neighbors do anyhow. Just do not cross the line, |
| with an outdoor maintenance company. Usually | | | | burdening your neighbors with maintenance issues. |
| any company that performs lawn work will also | | | | Any time you have asked neighbors to physically |
| perform snow removal, and vice versa. There are | | | | go to your property for some reason more than |
| also concierge companies that will not only let | | | | once a year, you have gone too far. Your |
| service personnel in and out of your home, but | | | | neighbors have other responsibilities and homes of |
| coordinate and find service people for you as well. | | | | their own to care for. Do not burden them with |
| If you're thinking of renting out the home, a | | | | your home too. |
| property management company will do this for | | | | |