[edwardsk]

I'm looking to buy a home in Vegas, but I live overseas most of the year. In all likelihood, I'll come back to Vegas once or twice and a year and stay a month at a time.

1. I am not interested in renting the home out to anyone since I don't know when I'll be returning.

2. I prefer owning a home because I can leave my stuff there and make it a 'home' that I can enjoy, so I'm not interested in staying in hotels for months or short term apartments. Like, I really just wanna own something. At some point, I might return to Vegas and stay full time, so it would be nice to just have everything there.



So my question is... Does anyone here own a 2nd home in a Vegas that they leave unoccupied for most of the year, and how exactly do you handle it? I suppose this might apply to anyone who owns a 2nd home in a totally different state as well. I don't mind paying the taxes and insurance, yada yada, but is actually keeping the home from falling apart while I'm away a real possibility or am I dreaming?

I've looked for property managers and caretakers online, but it seems like most of them just specialize in renting your home while you're away, which I don't want to do. Feels like I would need someone I can trust to check in on the home a couple times a week, run the water, check for leaks, pests, intruders, but oddly enough I see none of this kind of service advertised.

How do you manage your summer home or 2nd home in Vegas when you're away? I should also note that I have no close friends in Vegas who I'd trust wouldn't just use the home as their party hangout, so that's not an option.

Seems incredibly difficult to have a home that you only occupy a short time during the year. Should I just forget about?

[hotjambalaya]

I do.

I'd consider buying a condo second time around since its a lot easier to just shut the door behind you and leave. I find that having an actual house in vegas is a bit more of a nuisance. I put it down to the temperature fluctuations personally, but pealing paint etc is a nuisance, irrigation system malfunctions then the whole back yard dying, etc are all issues. Houses there just seem to deteriorate faster then I've experienced anywhere else in the world. If you have a pool, pigeons start becoming a problem (and in my case a couple of ducks!). It can be done, but it will require more expense then you originally anticipate, and take up a fair bit of time. As a second home, I'd buy in a gated community with security patrols, or (preferably a high rise).

I do recall speaking to a pest control company that also offered a service where they look after the inside when they do their monthly routine, so that could be an option

[nybklyn]

If you can't find someone to check in on the house, then I say don't do it because there are a lot of thing could get wrong.

[nybklyn]

Originally Posted by hotjambalaya

I do.

I'd consider buying a condo second time around since its a lot easier to just shut the door behind you and leave. I find that having an actual house in vegas is a bit more of a nuisance. I put it down to the temperature fluctuations personally, but pealing paint etc is a nuisance, irrigation system malfunctions then the whole back yard dying, etc are all issues. Houses there just seem to deteriorate faster then I've experienced anywhere else in the world. If you have a pool, pigeons start becoming a problem (and in my case a couple of ducks!). It can be done, but it will require more expense then you originally anticipate, and take up a fair bit of time. As a second home, I'd buy in a gated community with security patrols, or (preferably a high rise).

I do recall speaking to a pest control company that also offered a service where they look after the inside when they do their monthly routine, so that could be an option

Not a bad idea with the condo.

[Camaro5]

We've discussed having a 2nd home somewhere and if we decide to do it most likely it would be a condo with a garage. It would leave a lot less to worry about.

We have friends that have two houses, one in Palm Springs and one in Reno. Both are in gates communities and they've never said anything about having any problems. It isn't cheap, but they can afford it.

[movin1]

We just moved to LV from Florida where there are lots of "snowbirds", folks who own homes but only use them part of the year. Many use home watch services. I Googled it and it looks like they exist here too.

https://www.google.com/search?q=las+...nt=firefox-b-1

[lvmensch]

It is really not a big problem. There are a number of services who will provide what you wish. There are certain things you need to do. For instance do not turn off the AC or the heat. Set them to reasonably high or low levels to keep the bill under control but do not let the house cycle in the heat or cool. A smart thermostat is a good idea.

House should be rigged so the interior water can be cut off while the external water remains on. It is common to give the gardener access to the garage so he can keep track of the irrigation system.

Townhouses have some advantages. Many have the external landscaping maintained by the Association.

In general having the home checked every other week is sufficient.

[edwardsk]

Originally Posted by movin1

We just moved to LV from Florida where there are lots of "snowbirds", folks who own homes but only use them part of the year. Many use home watch services. I Googled it and it looks like they exist here too.

https://www.google.com/search?q=las+...nt=firefox-b-1

Thanks so much for this link. I had searched many different things on Google but didn't think of the term 'home watcher'.


As for the Condo idea... meh. I've thought about it. But all the decent condos in Vegas have astronomical HOA fees. Paying a few hundred per month HOA for a house in a gated community isn't a fun idea, but paying over 500 and sometimes closer to 1000 for some of the higher end condos is just ridiculous. It just seems like a house would be cheaper even if I have to hire a little extra for maintenence.

[ndcairngorm]

We've done it for years, and it is much better on the stress levels if someone is looking after your home. In Florida they're called condo watchers, and in Vegas they're called home watchers. As the above poster said, you can google them. I would feel much safer leaving a condo than leaving a home, but that's up to you.

The main problems that can occur (besides vandalism or burglaries) is that your A/C or hot water heater leaks and destroys the condo down below, or your own house. This is why someone coming into your home regularly can take the stress out of leaving a place. I turn off the appliances (stove and hot water heater) at the breaker box so someone can't turn them on inadvertently while we're gone. Ditto spa if you have one. Water gets cut off at the point of entry. No worries about freezing if you're thinking Las Vegas, but that is a whole other set of procedures to worry about if you're in the northland (as one of our places is).

[xusafpilot]

You can hire a property manager to maintain the property in your absence.