Safeguarding Your Luxury Real Estate While You’re on Vacation

Having a friend or neighbor who’ll water your plants while completing a home inspection of your luxury real estate is a huge help while you’re away on vacation. 

Safeguarding Your Luxury Home

Vacationing at your luxury real estate property in Kelowna requires a certain amount of preparation. There’s the small matter of arranging flights, deciding what to pack and, of course, planning your activities during your getaway. One thing that often gets overlooked is your primary residence and what you can do to protect it in your absence.

If you’re sneaking off for a quick weekend retreat to your Okanagan vacation property, that’s one thing. But if you’re going to be kicking back for more than a few days, there are a number of things you should put on your to-do list before you leave.

Here are a few helpful tips that’ll keep your home safer while you’re gone.

 

Safeguarding1. Arrange a home inspection

While you’re busy taking full advantage of the Okanagan sun at your luxury real estate, it’s always good to know there’s someone back home keeping an eye on your home. In many cases, arranging a weekly home inspection in your absence will be a requirement of your insurance provider. 

There are a number of inspection options available to most homeowners:

  • Neighbour
  • Friend
  • Family member
  • Property management service 

Just make sure they take the time to go room by room, checking for any potential problems. In particular, they should ensure your heating/cooling system is operational, and check sinks, toilets, the hot water tank and other water sources for leaks.

It might cost you a bottle of Okanagan merlot, but you might also be able to convince them to:

  • Water your plants
  • Feed your pets
  • Pick up your mail and newspapers
  • Mow the lawn
  • Turn on faucets, flush toilets and run the dishwasher

Safeguarding3. Turn off the water

No one wants to come home from a relaxing vacation to find a plumbing leak. You can cut the problem off at the source by turning off your main shutoff valve before you leave. 

Safeguarding

3. Check your pool and hot tub

Make sure the pool pump is running properly to avoid algae buildup. For hot tubs, turn down the thermostat. Also, check the chemistry for both is ideal.

If you’re going to be away for a longer period, have a neighbor or pool service check the pool periodically to make sure the pump is working properly.

Safeguarding4. Set your thermostat

No matter where your primary residence is, having your home set to just the right temperature has a major influence on your overall comfort. Whether it’s your air conditioning unit in summer or forced-air furnace in winter, they are an essential modern convenience.

However, in your absence, there’s no need to have these units running at full capacity. Instead, set your air conditioner a few degrees higher, or your furnace a few degrees lower (depending on the time of year). That’ll save electricity, protect the environment and prolong the life of these units.

If you’ve already got your home sorted out and are looking for outdoor activities in the Okanagan, read Ask a Kelowna Realtor: 5 Easily Accessible Hiking Trails Near the City.

Luxury real estate in the Okanagan is a tremendous investment opportunity. Call the experts at Quincy Vrecko & Associates to discover some of the most sought after properties in the most desirable neighborhoods.