Hello,
I've tried to search the archives and even solicited Bill's help, but
have come up empty.  I'm looking for your advise tidbits on what and what NOT
to do, when leaving your home closed up and unattended for the summer months.
I'd especially like to hear from boaters who have left their home unattended
more than once.  Thanks much.
Tommy

A radical answer to your question - thinking outside the box.

We leave our home for 3 to 4 months at a time. My wife periodically goes
back for board meetings and I've been back twice this past year to meet with
clients. We still work full time but our business is now web-based. Right
now we're in the Bahamas.

Our home "had" glass walls, pool, yard and the standard continuous
maintenance issues. So as one of the steps in our 12 year goal was to sell
the house and buy a loft. The loft is a gorgeous 1250 sq ft one room place
overlooking the waterway in The Woodlands. It is a "lock and leave." It's in
a concrete and steel six story building with parking below the building.
It's a positive pressure building so when we go back the inside is spotless.

There is a management company to deal with any issues. They check the place,
turn on the AC or heat as needed, power spray the terrace and maintain
everything. The building has a lobby with a security doors. We have great
neighbors. We even have one who walks through our loft at least once a month
to check on it. It was more than we wanted to pay and by doing it, it bumped
our boat buying back a couple years. But like a say, this was a part of a 12
year goal. We just didn't want to deal with the stress of worrying about any
of it. First step in stress control is fix or get rid of what causes you
stress.

So faced with your question our decision was to buy a "lock and leave" that
had everything we wanted and needed to feel comfortable leaving it for four
months or 20 years. We lived there for about 5 years before casting off the
lines.

Alfred E. Newman (aka Bob)

Bob and Kemba DeGroot
Aboard M/V Spirit Dancer
DeFever 49 CPMY
www.BoaterSites.com 713-876-8787
Skype: 1-281-506-2676 or dr.bob.degroot
Bahamas Phone: 242-473-4176

-----Original Message-----
From: great-loop-bounces+bob=saleshelp.com@lists.samurai.com
[mailto:great-loop-bounces+bob=saleshelp.com@lists.samurai.com] On Behalf Of
circumnavigate06
Sent: Thursday, April 29, 2010 11:32 AM
To: great-loop@lists.samurai.com
Subject: GL: Leaving home alone

Hello,
I've tried to search the archives and even solicited Bill's help, but
have come up empty.  I'm looking for your advise tidbits on what and what
NOT
to do, when leaving your home closed up and unattended for the summer
months.
I'd especially like to hear from boaters who have left their home unattended
more than once.  Thanks much.
Tommy

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Snip:'...I'd especially like to hear from boaters who have left their home
unattended
more than once.  Thanks much.
Tommy..."

Key is good neighbor(s).
Third year leaving the home for 9-10 months.
We are fortunate to have great neighbors who have keys to regularly check
the house and periodically flush toilets run water into sinks to keep pee
traps functional.  We turn off the water heater, interior gas appliances.
Change all HVAC filters before leaving, set thermostat to 80 on A/C (keep
the house dehumidified, forward all mail to family member,. Store all
exterior furniture and loose items (hurricane missiles). Service car(s) and
same neighbors have the car keys to drive/exercise it once a month.  Lawn
service cuts grass.  All bills are paid online.

If no good neighbors I'd hire a service/person to do same or move.

Joe

Carolyn Ann GH N-37
Pier 12 Tee head Brunswick Landing Marina, Ga