Virginia Beach Property Management
We Eliminate the Stress of Property Ownership
Virginia Beach Vacant Home Management
Abrams Realty now offers Home Watches as a stand-alone service. A Vacant or Extended Leave Home Watch is a great service for homeowners that will be leaving their house and not living in it for an extended period of time.
With this service, a house is monitored and inspected for a set amount of time. There is no long-term commitment to a full-service management agreement. This service is great for homeowners going on extended leaves of absence, trips or vacations, empty houses that are on the market, insurance purposes, and abrupt emergencies that require an unplanned absence. This service is customizable and goes above and beyond.
How It Works
During your extended absence from your home, we have licensed property managers/agents visit the home regularly to inspect for common issues that can arise from a home being vacant. We fill out a complete inspection report for your records and can email you the report upon request and/or will be available in your own private online portal for homes managed 60 days or more.
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Free Rental Analysis
Owner or Renter?
Interior Checklist
- Check that all inside lighting timers are set accordingly
- Visual inspection for signs of pest or unusual insect activity
- Visual inspection of walls, ceiling, tubs, showers, and sinks for evidence of water damage, leakage, or mold or mildew
- Check and adjust the thermostat to correct temperature
- Check the freezer, refrigerator, and disposal to ensure they are working...
- Major Systems & Saftey
- Check batteries in smoke detectors
- Check fuse box for tripped breakers or evidence of a power surge
- Check the freezer, refrigerator, and disposal to insure they are working
- Visually check that hot water heater does not have leakage
Exterior Checklist
- Ensure all entrances are secure
- Check all outside faucets and hoses for leaks
- Visual inspection of the roof and gutters from the ground
- Visual inspection of the yard/landscaping to assure regular maintenance
- Coordinate Lawn service (as needed)
- Hurricane, Tropical Storm & Weather Event Check
- Pre Stom Check to ensure proeprty is secure.
- Post Storm Check to ensure home is free of flooring and damage post storm.
- Coordiantiong repairs as needed after events.
Security Checklist
- Inspect for signs of theft, vandalism, damage or other disturbance
- Check that all windows and entryways are secure
- Check the security system is set and working properly
- Removal of newspapers, flyers, packages, mail or other evidence of non-occupancy from exterior.
Additional Services
- Start automobile (upon client’s request)
- Meet Service providers, alarm companies, and local authorities as the homeowners representative (as needed)
- Coordinate or oversee service requests
- Coordinate key pick up and granting access
Why use us?
The first and most obvious reason to have a vacant home manager is because leaving a property empty for extended periods of time leads to problems both inside and out. Problems will vary depending on what season the home is left vacant, but below lists a few of these potential problems.
- The lawn and landscaping will grow out of control.
- Weeds will take over flower beds, gravel, and lawn.
- Rain gutters will accumulate leaves and clog.
- Mail, fliers and newspapers will pile up acting as a calling card to would-be burglars.
- Thieves target vacant homes and rip apart the walls and appliances to steal copper wiring and plumbing pipe.
- Pipes can freeze during cold spells due to the heater not being on and cause extensive damage when uncontrolled thawing occurs.
- Infestations of insects and rodents may occur.
- If a pipe bursts or roof leaks the home will continuously be damaged until you return.
- When toilets and sinks are not run often, the P-Traps in the plumbing system become dry and will allow methane gas from the sewer to seep up through the pipes and enter your home causing an unpleasant welcome to you or any potential buyer.
Another reason to have vacant home management is for insurance purposes. Many insurance companies have strict stipulations that require the home to be occupied or at least maintained and visited regularly. You will probably find that your home insurance states that someone has to be physically present at least once every so many weeks or so. You may also find that insurers won’t cover you if you if your home is vacant for more than 90 days, unless they expressly agree to do so through an endorsement. An empty home is more susceptible to damage and burglary so insurers are not willing to take the risk. Also, home buyers are aware of the dangers and risks associated with buying a vacant home so offers will be consistently lower than that of an occupied home. Make sure to check your policy because additional coverage may be necessary to protect your investment.