Summer is here, and for many of our clients that means time away for more than a long weekend, whether it is a lake house, a second home, or an extended trip abroad. When your primary residence sits empty for weeks, small issues can become expensive ones simply because no one is there to catch them early.
For us, one of the most important aspects of True Wealth Management is reducing unnecessary risk. For many households, real estate is one of the largest single line items on the balance sheet, which makes it worth taking a few minutes before you travel to reduce avoidable exposure and protect what you own.
Below is a practical checklist we often share with clients ahead of extended travel, with the goal of reducing risk before you leave and making it easier to enjoy your time away.
Before You Leave Home
Security: cover the basics people overlook
- Update your home Wi‑Fi password if it has been shared over time (house managers, guests, vendors). Use a long, unique password and confirm you recognize the devices connected to the network.
- Confirm smart alerts are enabled for doorbells, cameras, and alarms, and that notifications are going to the right phone numbers.
- Avoid broadcasting travel dates publicly. It sounds obvious, but it is one of the most common unforced errors.
Water: reduce the biggest source of avoidable damage
Water issues are one of the most common homeowner problems, and they tend to be worse when a property is unattended.
- If no one will be checking in regularly, consider turning off the main water supply. This is often the single highest-impact step on the list.
- Install basic water-leak sensors in a few high-risk spots (near the water heater, under kitchen and bathroom sinks, and by the washing machine). Many cost roughly $20 to $50, and send an alert to your phone the moment moisture is detected. In our view, these are among the highest “bang-for-your-buck” upgrades a homeowner can make.
Climate and utilities: prevent heat and humidity problems
- In warm or humid climates, do not shut off the AC entirely. A higher set point is usually better than letting the home heat up and trap humidity.
- Set the water heater to vacation mode if available.
- Unplug non-essential electronics where practical to reduce fire risk and nuisance outages.
Double-check details: coverage and accountability
- Confirm your homeowners policy does not have vacancy-related limitations that could affect coverage after a certain period of being unoccupied. Some policies apply different terms if a home is vacant beyond a stated number of days, or require specific precautions. A five-minute call to your insurance adviser can help confirm you are covered as intended based on your travel schedule.
- If someone will be checking the home, be explicit about the plan. Who is checking in, how often, and what are they looking for (water, doors/windows, HVAC functioning, obvious exterior issues)? A simple plan reduces the odds that a minor problem goes unnoticed for weeks.
When You Arrive at the Vacation Property
Whether it is a second home that has been quiet for months or a property you have not visited recently, a short walkthrough before you unpack can prevent a long weekend from turning into a maintenance project.
In the first 30 minutes:
- Turn on faucets and run water briefly, and check for unusual pressure, discoloration, or slow drains.
- Look under sinks and around visible supply lines for any signs of moisture.
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Batteries fail more often than people expect after a long off-season.
- Run the dishwasher and washing machine once before loading them heavily, especially if the property has been idle.
- If the property has shared access over time, update the Wi‑Fi password and confirm you can see all connected devices.
Planning beyond the portfolio
At Richard Slaughter Associates, we spend as much time thinking about what can disrupt a plan in the real world as we do building the plans themselves. Preventable property issues, avoidable coverage gaps, and simple operational oversights tend to show up at the worst possible time, usually when someone is out of town and decisions become reactive.
A short checklist like this is not meant to create anxiety. It is meant to reduce it. If you would like a second set of eyes before extended travel, we are happy to coordinate with your insurance adviser and help you review the basics, particularly for second homes and higher-liability properties.