The best way to check on a vacation home from far away is to combine three things: a local person who can visit after storms, a few cheap sensors that alert you to cold or water problems, and a shared log where every visit gets a dated note and photos. No single one is enough. Together they catch most problems before they get expensive.
Our lake house is only an hour away, so I have it easy. A lot of you are three, four, or six hours out, and I hear the same worry from all of you when a cold front shows up on the forecast. Is the heat on? Did something drip? Is a limb on the roof?
Even at an hour, texting whoever is closest and hoping they saw it is not a system. It is a prayer with a phone number.
If you only do one thing, get a neighbor you trust. I recommend it wholeheartedly. Here is the full list of what works.
Who can check on your vacation home for you?
Pick one local person and make it official. Good options:
A neighbor you trust (my top pick). Free or a thank-you gift. Great for quick drive-bys, not for anything that needs a ladder.
A caretaker or house watcher. Usually a monthly fee or per-visit rate. Best for regular interior checks.
A cleaner. They are already inside the house. Ask them to send a quick photo of the thermostat and under the sinks.
A co-owner who lives closer. Works until they are tired of being the one who always goes.
Whoever it is, give them the water shutoff location, the gate code, and a number to call if something looks wrong. Write it down in one place, not in a text from last spring.
What can you monitor without being there?
A few inexpensive devices cover the big risks:
A temperature sensor that texts you if the house drops near freezing.
Water leak sensors under sinks, by the water heater, and near the washer.
A doorbell or exterior camera for packages, storm damage, and unexpected visitors.
A smart thermostat so you can see and change the heat from your phone.
Sensors tell you something is wrong. They do not tell you what a stained ceiling looks like or whether the dock is still attached. You still need eyes on the place.
What should a check-in visit cover?
Keep it to a list so it takes 15 minutes, not an afternoon:
- Walk the exterior. Look for downed limbs, roof damage, and open gates.
- Check every door and window lock.
- Look under sinks and around the water heater for moisture.
- Confirm the thermostat is set where it should be.
- Run a faucet or two and flush a toilet.
- Look for pests, mold smell, or anything out of place.
- Take photos. Date them.
How often should someone check on an empty vacation home?
In winter, plan on once a month at minimum, plus a visit after any hard freeze, big storm, or power outage. In mild seasons, every four to six weeks is usually fine. If the house sits empty for months, a regular schedule beats good intentions every time.
Where do you keep the record?
This is the part most people skip. The visit happens, someone says "all good," and three months later nobody remembers what was checked or when.
A shared log fixes that. Each visit gets a short note, a few photos, and a date. If something looks off, everyone sees it. If an insurance question comes up, you have a timeline.
Quick answers
Do I need a professional property manager? Not for most second homes. A reliable local person plus a few sensors covers the basics. A manager makes sense if you rent the place out or it is truly remote.
What if I cannot find anyone local? Ask the cleaner, the hardware store, or neighbors in the community Facebook group. Offer to pay. People are more reliable when it is a real arrangement.
What should I do before a freeze? Set the heat, open cabinet doors under sinks, and know where the main shutoff is. Our November 11 post covers this in detail.
How Dwelly helps
Dwelly gives your vacation home one place to keep all of this.
Notes let anyone post a visit update with up to 3 photos, and everyone gets an email when a new note goes up.
Recurring property events put the monthly check on the shared calendar so it does not depend on someone's memory.
The property info panel holds the water shutoff location, gate code, and trash day, so your helper is not hunting for them.
Property contacts keep the plumber, the electrician, and the caretaker in one list for co-owners.
The Viewer role lets a neighbor or caretaker see the calendar, post notes, and update the maintenance log without seeing your expenses.
Dwelly is $9 a month for one property or $19 a month for up to three, with a 14-day free trial.
Want a better way to keep an eye on the place? Try Dwelly free for 14 days at dwellyco.com.