What would you pay

[riverwed070707]

to have someone maintain your second home? I'm thinking stopping in once a month to turn on faucets, flush toilets, and just make sure all is well.

This home will be stayed in mabye 2-3 weeks a year. Its possible it will be rented in the future, but for now it's going to remain vacant the majority of the time.

Also, any tips on keeping monthly costs low for a situation like this? Can I turn off the utilities during the months it won't be used or is that bad?

[disneysteve]

I'm curious why you would purchase a home and only use it 2-3 weeks/year. I'm assuming this is a vacation property. Wouldn't it have been a whole lot cheaper and easier to just rent a place when you needed it?

As for turning off the utilities, you still need heat and air conditioning during appropriate seasons. Too cold and the pipes freeze. Too hot and humid and mold grows, wood floors warp, etc. Plus the utility companies might have a fee each time you reconnect though you could ask if they do something special for seasonal customers.

[mcfroggin]

I agree with Steve. Why have a property for only a couple weeks each year? I would rent it out if I could. Either that or sell.

[riverwed070707]

Its complicated, but in short the property has sentimental value, and we hope to use it more in the future. It happens to have a mobile home on it that I wouldn't mind selling and just keeping the land but it doesn't look like this is going to be an option right now. I don't know that I'm crazy about the idea of renting it, although it is a popular vacation spot so its certainly an option...I just think that with that comes a lot more expense -- for one it needs serious updating and beyond that I'd need a property manager, housekeeping service, etc. It's also not in the best location (compared to other rentals) so I'd be looking at a fairly low return, though I suppose every bit helps. It's an option but I'm not sold on it yet.

[disneysteve]

I don't know much about motor homes but I'd think the utility usage is pretty low when it is vacant and closed up, so it probably isn't a big deal either way. Turn off the lights. Disconnect the fridge and all appliances. Set the thermostat at the minimum level to maintain the place. Turn off the water. Probably cheaper to leave it like that and not repeatedly end and resume service if there is any fee involved.

[bjl584]

If you rent it, then you can get a property management company to keep it up for you for a cut of the rent. Probably around 4 to 6%.

If it sits vacant, then you will at a minimum need someone to cut the grass and to keep an eye on the furnace, major appliances, and the structure itself such as the roof and windows. I'm not sure what that would cost.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Can this mobile home be seen from the road? An unoccupied home should probably be made to look occupied to help fend off vandalism or even squatting. So you might need someone to mow around the house, keep the driveway clear, to set out and water some flowers, or even just artificial flowers, to prune shrubs, seasonal decorations, maybe set out some lawn chairs or patio furniture, pick up fliers, maybe set up automatic lights, and so forth. Doesn't need to be your taste--just to look like someone is home. If you choose to do those things and need to pay someone, you are talking about more than once a month work, so more money.

Don't forget that critters have a way of moving in to empty houses.

In my area, it is cheaper to leave utilities turned on than to put them back on a couple times a year. It becomes time consuming, too, as one of the utilities being turned on makes our city think there is a new resident in the building, requiring a new occupation permit (more $) and inspection. The house next to me is a vacation home and in 16 years (I think) it has never been bothered, except the night the owners last came to town, when someone snuck into their back yard and stole their permanent gas grill. Never been bothered, but it looks like someone lives there.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by Joan.of.the.Arch

In my area, it is cheaper to leave utilities turned on than to put them back on a couple times a year. It becomes time consuming, too, as one of the utilities being turned on makes our city think there is a new resident in the building, requiring a new occupation permit (more $) and inspection.

In some touristy areas, the utilities are used to this and have a system in place for "season" and "off-season" type of service so you might want to look into that.

[cschin4]

If you don't need it, aren't using it, my advice would be to sell it and not saddle yourself with things you don't need. Lots of things have sentimental value. But, i wouldn't advise keeping something that could potentially be a liability.

[riverwed070707]

Originally Posted by cschin4

If you don't need it, aren't using it, my advice would be to sell it and not saddle yourself with things you don't need. Lots of things have sentimental value. But, i wouldn't advise keeping something that could potentially be a liability.

Well thanks for the unsolicited advice. I didn't ask what you would do with the property, I asked what one would pay for someone to take care of it.

[riverwed070707]

Originally Posted by Joan.of.the.Arch

Can this mobile home be seen from the road? An unoccupied home should probably be made to look occupied to help fend off vandalism or even squatting. So you might need someone to mow around the house, keep the driveway clear, to set out and water some flowers, or even just artificial flowers, to prune shrubs, seasonal decorations, maybe set out some lawn chairs or patio furniture, pick up fliers, maybe set up automatic lights, and so forth. Doesn't need to be your taste--just to look like someone is home. If you choose to do those things and need to pay someone, you are talking about more than once a month work, so more money.

Don't forget that critters have a way of moving in to empty houses.

In my area, it is cheaper to leave utilities turned on than to put them back on a couple times a year. It becomes time consuming, too, as one of the utilities being turned on makes our city think there is a new resident in the building, requiring a new occupation permit (more $) and inspection. The house next to me is a vacation home and in 16 years (I think) it has never been bothered, except the night the owners last came to town, when someone snuck into their back yard and stole their permanent gas grill. Never been bothered, but it looks like someone lives there.

I like your thinking. Truth is that it is on a private drive and few people would even know its there, but really I think that makes it more subject to vandalism or squatters. The grass doesn't grow much (shaded and it really just kind of maintains itself) but I like the idea of putting out seasonal decorations, etc. That's something we could do ourselves though -- it woudlnt' be an inconvenience to make it down once a quarter or so.

I didn't think about snow in the driveway etc though. Maybe I need to make friends with a neighbor who would do this for a fee rather than a professional service.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by riverwed070707

Well thanks for the unsolicited advice. I didn't ask what you would do with the property, I asked what one would pay for someone to take care of it.

Now, now folks. Calm down. This is a public discussion forum. Unsolicited advice abounds in nearly every thread. Sometimes the question an OP is asking isn't really the right question and other posters chime in to give that person something else to think about. As long as it is done politely, we moderators have no problem with those types of comments. Heck, I've given tons of unsolicited advice here in the forums.

Carry on....

[riverwed070707]

I know this, but it wasn't the first time it was suggested in the thread. I am fully aware that keeping it is not the financially sound decision but if its worth it to me that's all that matters. Some people drive nice cars, have big houses, and spend money on things they will forget about well before they've gotten their money's worth. If I want to spend mine on a piece of land for some nostalgic lake-side camping then let me. I consider it a retirement investment -- maybe i'll choose to retire there, and if I don't maybe by that time I'll be ready to sell it and then the money can be used for retirement. Its a small price to pay for the value and joy it brings to me.

ETA OK maybe it was the first time it was suggested in this thread, but I posted about it on another forum and the resounding advice was to sell. It's not an option.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by riverwed070707

I am fully aware that keeping it is not the financially sound decision

Its a small price to pay for the value and joy it brings to me.

And that is absolutely fine. Keep it and enjoy it.

I was just trying to make the point that sometimes people come here and post their situation and truly don't realize that what they are doing isn't such a good idea. When others challenge it, it might make them think differently, see the situation from another point of view.

For example, there have been many threads where someone poses a question like: I want to buy a new humongous TV. Should I charge it to a credit card and pay it off over a year with interest or should I take a 401k loan? The responses are always the same - don't do either - and then go on to explain why both options are lousy plans. That isn't what the person was actually asking but that's the answer they get. They may not like the answer but I see nothing wrong with impartial people giving it. Again, it is only okay if done politely and respectfully - no personal attacks or insults.

[bjl584]

How far away is this piece of property from your primary residence?

My father owns a camp that is about 2 hours from where he lives, and he usually goes there twice a month. Is that an option for you?

He closes the place up during the winter, but he leaves the utilities turned on. It's cheaper then having them reconnected each year.

During the times that he can't make it up, he will have the neighbor cut his grass and keep an eye on the place. Is this an option for you?

[riverwed070707]

Originally Posted by bjl584

How far away is this piece of property from your primary residence?

My father owns a camp that is about 2 hours from where he lives, and he usually goes there twice a month. Is that an option for you?

He closes the place up during the winter, but he leaves the utilities turned on. It's cheaper then having them reconnected each year.

During the times that he can't make it up, he will have the neighbor cut his grass and keep an eye on the place. Is this an option for you?

No, it's 6 hours away so twice a month would be a pretty big stretch. Through the summer/fall definitely, but not all year long.

A neighbor, maybe. I don't know any of them, but it's a small town so it may be an option.

[bjl584]

Originally Posted by riverwed070707

No, it's 6 hours away so twice a month would be a pretty big stretch. Through the summer/fall definitely, but not all year long.

A neighbor, maybe. I don't know any of them, but it's a small town so it may be an option.

It would definitely be worth your while to get to know a few of the locals. I bet more than one of them has a son looking for some side work for the summer. Even if you had to pay someone a minimal fee to mow the grass now and then and keep an eye on the property, it would be good peace of mind for you.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by bjl584

It would definitely be worth your while to get to know a few of the locals. I bet more than one of them has a son looking for some side work for the summer.

In this economy, I'm sure one of the adults might be looking to make a few extra bucks. It would be cheaper than paying a realtor or management company. Maybe you could place an ad in the local community paper.

Of course, that brings us back to your original question: how much to pay. I think that would depend on exactly what you're having them do. Are they just driving by and making sure the place looks okay? Are they going in and cleaning? Are they mowing the lawn? Clearing any trash people decided to dump there? Plowing snow? I think the pay needs to be worked out based on the duties.

[bjl584]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

In this economy, I'm sure one of the adults might be looking to make a few extra bucks. It would be cheaper than paying a realtor or management company. Maybe you could place an ad in the local community paper.

Of course, that brings us back to your original question: how much to pay. I think that would depend on exactly what you're having them do. Are they just driving by and making sure the place looks okay? Are they going in and cleaning? Are they mowing the lawn? Clearing any trash people decided to dump there? Plowing snow? I think the pay needs to be worked out based on the duties.

I see two viable options.

Pay piecemeal per job. Cutting grass is $25, plowing snow is $20, picking up debris and cleaning the property is $30.

Or pay a flat rate for everything that OP would like to be done to the property. Say, $75 per month for someone to come by once a week and mow the grass, enter the mobile home and do a walkthrough and flush the toilets, run the water, etc., and do whatever else may need done as laid out by OP.

I would probably do a flatrate arrangement just to simplify matters. Coming up with a figure would need to be determined by how big the property is, and exactly what would need to be done.

[GrimJack]

We (my sister and all our cousins) have a cabin in the mountains of MT. It has a great deal of family history along with fond memories of grand parents who lived there all summer. Sometimes there would be 15 of us playing canasta, talking, laughing, sleeping, reading, et c. Now, the place is only used a couple weeks at a time in the summer (year around occupancy is forbidden as it is currently on federal land though there is a land swap in the works that will get it into private hands) because it is often buried in snow in the winter. It is often broken into, mostly by hunters in need of a warm place out of the weather who cause no damage, other times stuff if stolen but, in general, it is a wonderful place and everyone who uses the place helps with the upkeep. We always hire locals to do what work needs 'real' competency.

When you leave and will not be back for a while, have a check list of everything needed to close up; have another list of the things needed to open for season. Insulate as best you can especially make sure that the crawlspace does not leak. Don't leave anything there that you don't want to lose - you can't keep people out. Don't 'set traps' or do anything that would piss-off someone who does get in. When you are there, talk to your neighbors; just say 'hi' at least.