What would you pay

[riverwed070707]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[toys]

Too cold and the pipes freeze...
Turn off the water...

Don't forget to fully winterize it as well. Just turning off the water does not drain all of the water from the pipes. Don't forget the water-heater, too. Remove the traps from under the sink to drain them, then replace them. Also, you can buy a non-toxic anti-freeze to put in the lines.

It won't help create the appearance of someone living in the home, but they do also make winter covers. The basic price range is from about $100 to $1000 (and more) depending on how durable you want the all-weather layer to be.


Neighbors can be good security systems. You'd be surprised what a fresh batch of brownies can buy.