VACATION HOME MAINTENANCE MYTHS–BUSTED
Second homes offer the best of both worlds: relaxation, investment potential, and a personal retreat. But they also come with a unique set of responsibilities that many owners underestimate, especially when it comes to ongoing maintenance.
At Second Home Care, we’ve been caring for vacation properties in Truckee, Incline Village, and beyond for over 25 years. We’ve seen it all—from frozen pipes in unwatched homes to pest infestations that could’ve been prevented with one quick visit.
Below, we’re busting the most common second home maintenance myths—so you can protect your investment, avoid stress, and spend more time enjoying your property.
Myth #1: “It’s fine. I only use it a few times a year.”
It’s easy to assume an empty home is a safe home, but in reality, long periods without oversight can lead to major issues.
The Reality
Even if your home sits empty most of the time, it’s still exposed to weather, wear, and the unexpected. A small leak, unnoticed, can become a major flood. A winter freeze can damage plumbing in days. And just because no one’s there, doesn’t mean pests or rodents aren’t.
Why It Matters
Vacant homes require just as much, if not more, oversight than occupied ones. Without regular walk-throughs, you may not find out about problems until it’s too late. And most insurance contracts have clauses that negate coverage of unoccupied homes - so if something does go wrong and it’s not caught for a number of weeks they may deny your claim!
How We Help
Second Home Care provides scheduled home watch inspections to check for damage, leaks, pests, and security issues. We send real-time photo reports so you can stay informed without being on-site.
Myth #2: “I’ll just check everything when I visit.”
Waiting to spot issues during your occasional visits means you’re always reacting, not preventing, and that comes at a cost.
The Reality
Using your limited vacation time to troubleshoot issues, clean, or chase down contractors defeats the whole point of having a second home. What’s more, if a problem began months earlier, your visit might be too late to stop it from becoming expensive.
Why It Matters
Vacation time should be spent relaxing, not tracking down a plumber, snow removal crew, or spa repair service.
How We Help
We handle cleaning, maintenance coordination, inspections, and seasonal tasks so your home is guest-ready every time you arrive. You focus on enjoying it. We’ll handle the rest.
Myth #3: “It’s not a rental, so it doesn’t need as much upkeep.”
Even if no one else is staying in your vacation home, natural wear and tear still occur, and ignoring it shortens your home’s lifespan.
The Reality
Whether you rent or not, your home still requires routine care to stay in good condition. Dust collects. Water heaters degrade. HVAC systems need seasonal servicing. And spa water chemistry won’t balance itself.
Why It Matters
Skipping maintenance now leads to larger repairs later, and potential damage that impacts long-term value.
How We Help
Our maintenance plans are built for primary-use homes, rentals, or both. We tailor service to how your home is used, not just whether it earns income.
Myth #4: “It’s cheaper to manage it myself.”
DIY may seem cost-effective upfront, but surprise repairs, missed bookings, and logistical stress quickly erase the savings.
The Reality
DIY management can seem more affordable—until you factor in:
Difficulty finding reliable, responsive local vendors
Emergency repairs from missed inspections
Refunds to guests due to poor conditions
Travel costs when you have to visit unexpectedly
Higher vendor pricing without local relationships
Why It Matters
Small issues turn into big expenses when they’re missed. And lost rental income or home value adds up fast.
How We Help
We provide predictable pricing and bundled services, avoiding the surprise costs that DIY management often creates. And we don’t take a percentage of your rental income, unlike many property managers.
Myth #5: “My house is new—nothing will go wrong.”
New construction doesn’t equal indestructible, especially in high-altitude environments with heavy snow, wildlife, and seasonal shifts.
The Reality
Even brand-new homes need regular attention. Construction settles. Systems break in. And high-altitude homes face unique challenges like snow load, rodent entry, and dramatic temperature swings.
Why It Matters
New homes can give a false sense of security until a storm hits, a pipe bursts, or a guest notices a strange smell from the furnace.
How We Help
From seasonal startup and shutdown services to spa and HVAC checks, we make sure your home stays in excellent shape, no matter how new it is.
Myth #6: “My neighbors can keep an eye on it for me.”
While neighbors mean well, they’re not trained to spot early maintenance issues, and they shouldn’t be your only safety net.
The Reality
Neighbors can be a helpful backup, but they’re not trained property inspectors. They likely won’t catch slow leaks, insulation issues, or early signs of pest problems. And in an emergency, they may not have the time or tools to respond. Plus, they take vacations and tire quickly of being your free “eyes and ears”.
Why It Matters
Well-meaning neighbors aren’t a substitute for regular, professional oversight.
How We Help
We’re on-call 24/7 with a local team who knows how to assess, report, and fix problems so you don’t have to rely on favors or feel guilty asking.
Myth #7: “Winterization is optional if I just keep the heat on.”
Mountain winters are unpredictable, and relying on heating alone is risky when freezing temps or power outages strike.
The Reality
Heating alone won’t protect you from frozen pipes, ice damming, or storm-related power outages that cut off climate control. Proper winterization involves draining plumbing, protecting outdoor systems, and sealing vulnerable areas.
Why It Matters
One burst pipe can cause tens of thousands of dollars in water damage. We've seen it happen.
How We Help
We offer full winterization and de-winterization services, plus snow removal, roof checks, and storm prep so your home stays protected when temps drop.
The Bottom Line: Don’t Let Myths Cost You
Vacation homes are meant to be enjoyed, not managed like a second job. And while it’s easy to underestimate how much care they need, the truth is that a little prevention goes a long way.
Regular service, seasonal prep, and professional oversight help you:
Protect your investment
Prevent damage
Keep guests happy
Enjoy your home stress-free
Let Second Home Care Bust the Myths and Handle the Maintenance
With over two decades of experience, local crews in Truckee and Incline, and trusted vendor relationships, we make second homeownership simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.
Contact Second Home Care today to learn how we protect second homes—and bust the myths for good.