Soon you and your family will be leaving for your much anticipated beach vacation in Ocean Isle Beach. Everyone is excited to leave behind the ordinary, and embrace all things summer, relaxing, and fun!
But what happens at home while you are gone? Are you concerned about your home while you are away?
We have curated a blog full of useful tips and information as you prepare your home for your vacation. From security to saving money…Williamson Realty Vacations has your back! We want you to have peace of mind about your home…while at your vacation rental home in Ocean Isle Beach!
How to Keep Your Home Safe While You Are Gone
There are several easy tips to use to keep your home safe while you are out of town. The key is to make it look like someone is home!
Purchase a few inexpensive, automatic outlet timers, and set a few lamps to turn on and off at various times. People who are up to not good do not like breaking into homes that are well lit.
Another great idea is to not let your mail pile up in the mailbox. You can have your mail stopped, through the US Postal Service, for the duration of your trip. You can also ask a neighbor to check your mail for you!
Don’t forget to check the latches on your windows and doors! If you are leaving vehicles in your driveway, be sure to double check that they are locked also! You don’t want to make yourself an easy target.
If you have a friend or family member that could use a little change of scenery, invite them to come stay at your home while you are out of town.
Last, but not least, you should be very careful about what you share on social media. Advertising that you are out of town to the wrong people could be something that you may compromise your home security. Use caution with social media!
How to Save Money While You Are Away On Vacation
No doubt, the list of things to do before you leave for vacation is a mile long. However, you can take a few extra minutes and do a several simple things that will actually help you save money while you are gone.
Before departing your house, set the thermostat on the air conditioner to the low 80’s. If you are traveling during the winter, set the temperature to the low 60’s. This will keep your home from getting too hot (or cold), while also reducing the amount of energy being used to cool a home where no one is home.
You will also want to be sure to turn off lights that will not be used on timers. If you haven’t already replaced traditional light bulbs with CFL or LED bulbs, now is the time to do it!
Did you know that your water heater can account for a quarter of your home’s energy use? Did you know that most of that energy is spent keeping water hot? While on vacation, electric water heaters can be turned off at the circuit breaker panel, and gas water heaters can be turned to vacation mode or to a lower temperature.
Another way to save money is via electronics. Consider disconnecting electronics from their power source so that they are not able to draw any energy!
How to Know if You Need Help at Home While Away
Do you have pets that are staying home while you are away on vacation? Do you have house plants that will need to be watered? Do you have a swimming pool or garden in your backyard that needs to be tended to? And what about your mail?
Sometimes, it is best to hire someone (or recruit a trusted neighbor) to look after your home while you are out of town. There is great peace of mind that comes with knowing that someone that you can rely on is in and out of your home, and looking after things.
Create a list of duties that your house sitter or pet sitter will be responsible for. Be sure to specify specific times for duties, the location of supplies needed, your emergency contact information, and any other details that you feel are important. Before you leave, do a walk-through with your house sitter to be sure they understand how everything works, and answer any questions.
Here at Williamson Realty Vacations, we want you and your family to experience all that an Ocean Isle Beach vacation has to offer. We want you to have the peace of mind that goes with a secure home…so you can enjoy your home away from home. If you haven’t already taken a look at our amazing beach vacation rental properties…now is the perfect time!!
Do you have any “empty house” tips that you could share with us? We would love to share your ideas with our guests!!
