3 Tips For Managing Your Home When You're Rarely There

It sounds strange to never live in a home you own, but sometimes, life demands that. Maybe you're traveling for work constantly, spending weekends at your partner's place, or you'vea lifestyle where home feels more like a pit stop between adventures - if so, that’s exciting! Though whatever your reason, maintaining a place you barely see can take a small balancing act between keeping it livable, safe and well-maintained, and not wasting time on a space that sits empty most days.

The thing to keep in mind is that an empty home isn’t just static, as neglecting it can cause bigger issues for you than you expect. For example, a burst pipe, overgrown gardens and plant deaths, unattended pests, and intensive dust can all have an effect. If you come back to what feels like an abandoned house, it’s not exactly the warm welcome you want after a long trip.

Luckily, there are definitely ways to keep your place running; you just need to be smart about which battles to pick and maybe accept that your home management style will look different from someone who's there every night making dinner and cleaning every weekend. Let’s discuss some conveniences to plan for yourself with that in mind:

Set Up Systems That Work Without You

We’d recommend creating routines that basically run themselves while you're away. So, consider setting up automatic bill payments so you're not coming home to shut-off notices, and maybe invest in a few smart home gadgets that can help you monitor your access routes remotely. A programmable thermostat keeps your energy bills reasonable without you having to remember to adjust anything too, and smart plugs can make it look like someone's home by turning lights on and off, as empty houses attract the wrong kind of attention.

You might want to develop a relationship with a neighbor who can grab your mail and keep an eye on the house too, because most people are happy to help if you return the favor when they're away. Companies like Sparkly Maid can also set up cleaning visits so you're not walking into a dusty time capsule every time you return..

Keep The Essentials Stocked & Ready

Even if you’re not there much, nothing's worse than rushing home between trips only to realize you're out of basic supplies. Keep a running list of things you need to restock, and consider keeping extras of toiletries, cleaning supplies, and non-perishable food items. This way you can actually relax when you are home without having to immediately run errands the moment you come in from a long flight. 

You could also think about meal planning differently. Keep your pantry stocked with easy options that won't go bad quickly, so you can throw together a decent meal without having to grocery shop the moment you walk in the door. Having a few backup plans for food means you can feel more at home there and have a reason to come back.

Minimize What Needs Maintenance

The less stuff you have to worry about, the easier your life becomes. There are some ways to help that outcome, like switching to low-maintenance plants that can handle neglect, or maybe just accepting that you're not a plant person right now and that's perfectly fine. If you keep your decor simple, it’ll take less cleaning when you come home.

Think about your furniture and belongings too, which could be put in storage or have dust sheets over them, as having fewer things that need continual care and dusting should help.

With this advice, we hope you can more easily manage your home even if you’re there less than other homeowners.

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