How to Safely Maintain and Secure Your Vacation Home While You’re Away

Many dream of owning a vacation home. It offers the perfect getaway whenever you need a break, but what happens when you're not there?

An unoccupied property can become a target for burglars, suffer weather-related damage, or face unexpected maintenance issues.

If you own a second home in the mountains, a beachfront retreat, or a cozy countryside retreat, you must ensure it remains safe and well-maintained while away.

This guide explores the most practical ways to secure your vacation home, prevent potential risks, and even make the most of your property while you're away.

1. Ensure everything is locked and secure

Many people are guilty of leaving their houses without locking the doors and windows. An easy way to avoid this unnecessary hassle is to create a pre-holiday checklist.

Include items like "check all windows" and "lock the garden gate," and dedicate a few minutes to checking each box on your list.You can also share this checklist with your guests if you are home exchanging so they lock up correctly.

Don't just focus on the main house. Include outbuildings in your security sweep. Ensure any tools that could be used for forced entry are locked away.

Finally, ditch the hidden spare key. Thieves know the usual hiding spots (under mats, behind garden gnomes, etc.). It is safer to leave a key with a trustworthy neighbor or keep it in a lockbox.

2. Install a security system

While there's no definitive statistic on the increased risk of burglary without a security system, studies and expert opinions suggest a home without one is 300% more likely to experience a break-in.

Hence, installing a reliable security system is one of the most effective ways to protect your home while away.

Most security systems include key components such as door and window entry sensors, motion detectors, outdoor lights, and outdoor cameras. These systems provide comprehensive protection against break-ins, fires, and even water damage.

Also, consider using video doorbells and two-way audio features to enhance security further, making it appear that you're home—even when you're miles away.

If you're considering a home security system, look for one with professional monitoring services. This way, even if you miss an alert, a dedicated alarm company team can assess the situation and dispatch emergency responders if needed.

And if you plan to exchange your home at HomeExchange Collection while you're away, be sure to follow HomeExchange’s surveillance camera policy to ensure compliance with privacy guidelines.

3. Make your home look lively

An occupied home looks lively. Lights go on and off, and cars come and go. When you're away, everything stops. Plus, a dark home is a clear sign that no one is present, making it an easy target for burglars.

To help create the illusion that your house is not empty, invest in smart lighting that can be controlled remotely or use timers to turn lights on and off at different times.

Randomizing the schedule ensures the lighting patterns don’t appear predictable, further reducing the risk of break-ins.

Additionally, getting a neighbor to take out your garbage and return the trash cans after the pickup is another way to signal that everything is proceeding normally at your house.

4. Keep a car in the driveway

An empty driveway signals an unoccupied home. Leave a car parked in the driveway or ask a neighbor to park their vehicle there occasionally. This small action can further increase the illusion of making your home look lived-in, reducing the likelihood of unwanted attention. Adding a car alarm can also serve as an extra layer of security.

5. Leverage home exchange

Many homeowners rent out their vacation homes, but this comes with challenges like vetting renters and managing access. Instead of traditional rentals, consider home exchange—a secure and convenient alternative where you swap homes with fellow homeowners while traveling.

HomeExchange Collection makes this process seamless, allowing you to exchange with trusted and like-minded homeowners while keeping your luxury home occupied and secure. Our HomeExchange Collection is a carefully vetted community where both members and homes undergo a rigorous screening process, including profile verification, home assessment, ID authentication, and secure payment handling. Payment is processed only after approval.

With HomeExchange, you not only enjoy the flexibility of swapping homes through our platform but also benefit from comprehensive protection.

Our robust cancellation and damage guarantees ensure peace of mind throughout your exchange. If an exchange is canceled, our team will assist in finding a suitable replacement, and if one cannot be secured, we provide reimbursement for alternative lodging.

In addition, in the event of accidental damage, your home is covered with extensive protection.

To further safeguard your home during exchanges, consider these additional security measures:

• Secure your valuables: Store sentimental or high-value items in a locked safe and set up mobile alerts for unauthorized access.
• Communicate security features: Provide guests with alarm codes, emergency contacts, and details about security systems. If you use security cameras, check local regulations and ensure transparency by informing guests and posting visible notices.

HomeExchange lets you enjoy peace of mind knowing your vacation home is occupied, secure, and in the hands of homeowners who own dwellings worth an average of $2.5M USD. These homeowners have homes of similar value and treat them appropriately.

Also read: How Does HomeExchange Work? It's simple!

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6. Arrange for a house sitter or trusted friend

Having someone check on your vacation home regularly is an excellent way to maintain security. A trusted friend, neighbor, or professional house sitter can monitor for suspicious activity, collect mail and deliveries, water plants, and handle minor maintenance issues.

However, relying on a house sitter or friend comes with potential downsides. Availability can be limited, and finding someone trustworthy who can commit for an extended period may be challenging. Professional house sitters may charge fees, and even with regular check-ins, an unoccupied home can still be vulnerable to break-ins or maintenance issues that go unnoticed between visits.

For a more consistent and secure solution, consider alternative ways, such as home exchange, to ensure your home remains occupied while you're away.

You may also like: Is HomeExchange Safe?

7. Don’t advertise the fact you’re away

It can be tempting to share your holiday events in real-time on social media with family and friends, but it can also be risky to let people know when you are about to leave your vacation home.

Information shared with a tiny group of friends online can soon end up in the wrong hands. And if you have children who use social media, make sure they understand this, too.

To stay safe:

• Avoid posting vacation details until you return.
• Adjust social media privacy settings.
• Be mindful of sharing location tags in real-time.
• Avoid leaving an answer phone message which tells people you’re away
• Avoid leaving your curtains permanently drawn while away

8. Hire a property management company

A property management company can be helpful. These companies specialize in maintaining all kinds of homes, including vacation homes.

A property management company can manage your home, especially when you are far away.

An overgrown lawn or uncollected mail can signal absence to potential intruders. A property management team can handle everything from routine maintenance, landscaping, cleaning, and trash collection to make your home appear occupied.

Note that hiring a property management company involves cost, but their expertise can save you time and stress and help minimize the odds of burglary.

9. Unplug non-essential electronics

Unplugging appliances and non-essential electronics reduces the risk of electrical fires and saves energy. While essentials like refrigerators should remain plugged in, using surge protectors can protect against unexpected power surges. This simple precaution can prevent costly damages and ensure your home remains safe while you're away.

10. Suspend mail and newspaper deliveries

If your vacation home is mostly unoccupied, then it doesn't need mail and newspaper deliveries because an overflowing mailbox is a telltale sign that your home is unoccupied.

If you don’t have a house sitter, consider suspending newspaper and magazine deliveries. You could also ask a friend or neighbor to come over regularly and take mail and newspapers on your behalf.

Additionally, you could use USPS mail-hold services to stop deliveries temporarily.

11. Prepare for weather-related risks

Weather-related damages can be costly, so taking preventive measures before leaving your vacation home is essential.

Secure outdoor furniture to prevent wind damage, clean gutters to avoid water overflow, and test sump pumps to prevent basement flooding.

Staying updated on local weather forecasts can help you prepare your home for potential storms or extreme conditions.

12. Lock and reinforce the garage

Most break-ins occur because owners leave their homes unsecured. As mentioned earlier in the article, many people leave their houses without locking the doors and windows.

One major oversight is the garage. Garages are often overlooked but can be easy entry points for intruders.

To enhance security, turn off your electric garage door opener to prevent hacking, reinforce the garage door with a padlock or bolt, and store tools or valuables out of sight. These precautions help ensure that your garage remains secure while you're away.

13. Maintain the interior and exterior

In addition to the interior, it's important to maintain your vacation home regularly, whether you are staying in the house or about to leave your holiday home.

This not only helps keep your house in tip-top shape, but it also helps maintain its safety and value in the eyes of potential vacation home renters:

To do this:

• Plant and maintain the right trees, shrubs, and other landscapingKeep your landscaping trimmed and tidy. Overgrown bushes can provide hiding spots for burglars.
• You should regularly inspect the exterior of your home for signs of damage, such as cracks in the foundation or missing roof tiles.
• Create an appliance maintenance routine.
• Inspect and maintain gutters and downspouts.
• Have your basement, crawl space, foundation, and concrete professionally inspected and repaired.

In addition, if you have plants and pets to maintain, this is another area in which HomeExchange benefits its users. Unlike traditional rentals, where interaction with guests is minimal, home exchange fosters direct communication between members, allowing you to agree on specific care needs before swapping homes.

If you have plants that require watering, you can discuss expectations with your exchange partner in advance to ensure they are properly cared for. HomeExchange even offers filters for “plants to water” to help match you with members who are comfortable providing care.

14. Secure valuable items

Thieves always look for easy opportunities; leaving valuables in plain sight will attract them. It doesn't take some ocean eleven-level planning to smash a window, grab a laptop, and disappear down the street.

To prevent such easy theft, store high-value items such as Rolex watches, jewelry, cash, and important documents in a safe or hidden location.

Consider using your curtains to prevent outsiders from peeping into your home, reducing the temptation for potential burglars. Still, be careful to consider what signal you may be sending. Blinds that stay closed all day may tell a potential thief you're out of town.

While this may be a concern, a smart device like motorized blinds can solve the problem. You can randomly raise and lower motorized blinds using a phone app, creating the impression you're at home.

15. Get the right home insurance

Unfortunately, despite taking every precaution to secure your holiday home, you are always at risk of falling victim to crime and other environmental hazards.

Hence, it is critical to check your homeowner's insurance policy and ensure you have the right home insurance and that your valuables and buildings are covered.

Note that every home insurance policy has limits, with some policies not covering a home if it’s unoccupied for more than 30 days.

If you’re going to be away from your vacation home for a very long time, tell your insurer and see whether you can get your cover extended.

Takeaway: Maintain and secure your home with HomeExchange

Protecting your vacation home while you're away is essential for preserving your investment and enjoying worry-free getaways.

In this piece, we have provided some home security and maintenance strategies. Implementing them will help minimize the risks and ensure your property remains safe and well-maintained.

If you plan to leave your home anytime soon, consider keeping it safe and maintained through HomeExchange instead of leaving it vacant.
With over 360,000 homes in 145 countries, HomeExchange allows you to swap your high-end home with other high-end homeowners at no extra lodging cost.

Thanks to our personalized support, exclusive perks, and comprehensive guarantees, you can access exotic homes, create meaningful connections, and travel with peace of mind.

We cater to families, solo travelers, couples, retirees, cultural enthusiasts, business owners, and executives who travel frequently.

Looking for a way to experience more vacation homes without the hassle of sole ownership?

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