Peace of mind is important when you own a home. Whether you travel a lot, live in that property part-time, or rent it out to tenants for all or part of the year, when it’s vacant, it’s vulnerable. A lot of homeowners worry about the safety and security of their properties, especially when they’re away for long periods or no one is living in it.
Luckily, there is an entire service industry around taking care of empty or vacant properties. While your property manager in Northern Virginia can take care of the property while tenants are in place, you might want to consider home sitting services when you know you won’t be living there and you won’t have anyone else in place, either.
You can enjoy complete peace of mind knowing that your property is being cared for while you are away. There will be someone in place to notice if a leak starts or an appliance stops working. You’ll have someone with constant eyes on the property and the home will be less of a target for criminals and burglars since there’s clearly someone residing in it.
Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of home sitting services for homeowners and why you should consider this as an option for your home when it’s not inhabited all year long.
Keeping Your Northern Virginia Home Secure
Whether it’s a long-term rental that’s going to be vacant for some time, a short-term rental that is looking at several months of vacancy, or your own home that you’re not going to live in for a while, you’ll want to make sure the property is secure. It’s important to the value and condition of your home – and to your own peace of mind – that security is prioritized.
One of the most significant benefits of home sitting services is the added security it provides. A home sitter will be able to keep an eye on your property 24 hours a day and seven days a week to ensure that everything is secure. This includes not only safeguarding against potential robberies but also ensuring that there are no unexpected or emergency maintenance issues or other problems that could cause damage to your home.
Even if you have a security system in place, you want to know that the home is safe and secure. That’s best done when you have someone inside it, taking care of the property and letting you know that all is well while you’re away.
House Sitting Services Provide Owners with Flexibility
You can set up your house sitting service in any way that works best for you. Traditionally, house sitters would, stay in your property while you are away or it’s vacant. They’d live there full time, using the home as their own and keeping it clean and well-maintained. They can collect your mail and water your plants.
That’s not the only way, however. If you don’t want your house sitter to actually reside in your home, you can have them visit your property several times a day or once a day. This allows you to tailor the service to your needs and ensure that your home is being looked after in the best possible way. You can balance privacy with security and make sure you’re getting what you need.
Home sitting services offer a highly personalized service. You can work with your home sitter to create a custom schedule that meets your specific needs and requirements.
House Sitting Provides Peace of Mind
Knowing that someone is taking care of your property while you are away can provide you with invaluable peace of mind. Vacant homes provide opportunities for people who might want to break in, steal from you, or cause damage to your property. We have seen vacant properties be targeted by vandals, thieves, and even squatters.
When you have a house sitter keeping an eye on things, you won’t have to worry about returning to a home that has been damaged or broken into, and you’ll be able to relax and enjoy your time away without any unnecessary stress or worry.
It’s hard to put a price tag on peace of mind. Whether you’re away from your home for a week or a month, it’s hard not to worry about what’s going on there. With house sitting services, you can expect updates and photos. You’ll know exactly what’s going on.
Keeping Security Cost-Effective
Paying for someone to care for your property while you’re gone might seem like a bit much.
But, consider the alternative. Do you want to pay a pet sitter to ensure that everything is taken care of, or do you want to risk that something will happen? Paying to replace the appliances and furniture that were stolen might cost you more than the service fee a house sitter charges. You’re looking at much higher costs if a leak is left unattended and you end up with mold and rot on the floors and walls.
Home sitting services can actually be very cost-effective. When you consider the potential costs of damage or theft to your property, the cost of hiring a professional home sitter is often very reasonable. Additionally, if you have pets or plants that require regular care, you’ll be saving money on having to hire a separate pet sitter or gardener.
If you’re a part-time homeowner or a rental property owner with a home that is not always occupied, investing in a home sitting service can be one of the best decisions you make. Not only will it provide you with complete peace of mind knowing that your property is being looked after, but it’s also highly flexible, cost-effective, and can be tailored to your exact needs.
We’d love to tell you more about this and the services we provide. Please don’t hesitate to contact us at Comfort Property Management. We lease, manage, and maintain investment properties throughout Northern Virginia, in Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, McLean, Ashburn, Sterling, Springfield, Reston, Chantilly, Manassas, Centreville, and Herndon.