A vacant property is vulnerable. It can be a target for criminals and opportunists. It also raises the risk of damage and deferred maintenance. Without anyone living in the home, you won’t know when a leak has begun or an appliance has broken down.
If you have a home in San Diego that is not consistently occupied or you know you’re going to be away from home for a while, you should consider working with a company that provides absentee management services. This will protect your home and provide you with plenty of peace of mind while you’re away from your property.
What is an Absentee Homeowner?
An absentee homeowner is someone who owns a property but does not live there full time. Or, it could be someone who owns a property but doesn’t live there at all. Some examples of absentee homeowners include:
Homeowners who have inherited a house but choose not to live in it.
Someone who has moved to another city, state, or country, without first selling the house they own.
Homeowners who use their property as a vacation home periodically throughout the year but don’t live in it 100 percent of the time.
Maybe you’re not renting out your property even though it’s vacant because you have other plans for it or you know you’ll need it eventually or you just don’t want to have tenants living in your home.
Whatever your reasons for being an absentee homeowner, you still have the right of ownership to an asset that’s increasing in value. It’s important to protect that asset.
Absentee Management in San Diego
How do absentee management services work?
It really depends on the company that’s providing them and the specific needs of you and your property. Typically, you can expect the following.
Property Walk-Throughs
We walk through your property once a week to ensure everything functions and looks good. We’ll check the heating and cooling systems, test the appliances, and inspect your windows and doors. We’ll look for evidence of pests and we’ll track down the origin of any strange odors. We’ll also check external security and make sure the locks, lights, and any alarms or cameras are working.
Preparing the Property for Your Arrival
You want to know your home will be ready for you when you do come back. An absentee management plan can provide for that, and your property managers will make sure the lights are on, the heat or the air conditioning is set, and the home is comfortable and ready for occupancy.
Serving as an emergency contact
Your absentee management team will be the point of contact if there’s an emergency at your home or if an immediate response is needed due to an occurrence in the neighborhood.
Any additional services for your property can also be arranged for you through an absentee management company. For example, we can oversee maintenance work or renovations. It’s a good time to make some upgrades and improvements when your home is empty. We can oversee the landscaping services you may have in place and keep up with any pool cleaning that may be required.
An unoccupied home does not have to cause concern. We know you have constraints and challenges when you’re trying to care for a property from far away. Absentee management services ensure your home is in good condition, clean, and safe while you’re away.
Prices and plans will depend on the size of your property and its needs. But, there are never any long-term contract requirements or messy breakups. We’ll manage your property in your absence as long as you need us to, and when you’re back home - we’ll support you in whatever way we can and then wait for you to call us back.
Benefits of San Diego Absentee Management Services
Why should you invest in an absentee management program for your home? If you’re only going to be gone for a month or two, it might seem like your home is going to be just fine.
It probably will be, but that home is worth a lot of money. Do you really want to take that chance?
With an absentee management program, you get peace of mind, property protection, and expert advice.
- Peace of Mind that Your Home is Safe
Without anyone living in your home, it could be a target for thieves, burglars, and vandals. As San Diego property managers, we have heard about appliances, wiring, and furniture being stolen from empty homes. We’ve heard horror stories about squatters. When you’re going to be away from your home for an extended period of time, make sure it doesn’t look vacant. Keep the lights on and the grass green. Have your absentee managers visit from time to time to make sure nothing looks amiss.
- Protecting the Condition and Value of Your Property
Another benefit to our program is that you won’t come home to a flooded kitchen or broken windows or a hole in the roof. Anything can happen while your home is empty. A sudden storm could knock a tree through a fence. The water heater could explode or some enterprising mice could chew through a sewer line. If weeks or months pass before these things are noticed, you’re looking at some big expenses and a lot of clean-up. Don’t let your home deteriorate just because it’s not being used 365 days a year. Have a professional team check on it.
- Expert Advice Can Help You Make Good Decisions
Your management team might notice that it’s time to replace your smoke detectors. We might see spots on the carpets or walls that are looking worn. With expert eyes on your property every week, you’ll gather some good advice on how to make it look and feel more like home.
If you’d like to hear more about how we can help you maintain and protect your property safely while you’re away from it, please contact us at North County Property Group. We’re here to meet all of your San Diego property management needs.
