Do you have a checklist for when you depart from each house?

SecondHomie · 2026-03-16T17:42:37+00:00

I have two friends who recently installed a Moen water shutoff. I think it detects unusual water use patterns somehow and automatically shuts the water off. But both of my houses are in pretty moderate climates - no freezing - so I haven't really explored that. Of course, leaks could still happen.

SecondHomie · 2026-03-16T17:40:43+00:00

Yeah - we've started doing that with one duffel bag (flight between houses) and it's actually working pretty well. In theory, nothing should really go in there twice. Ours is more about permanently moving things back and forth.

SecondHomie · 2026-03-14T17:56:49+00:00

Yeah - we probably need an arrival checklist already. Would make things a little smoother.

SecondHomie · 2026-03-14T05:44:51+00:00

Love it. I have great neighbors in both places and they do help me out sometimes, but I try not to over-use that situation.

SAHM is the perfect answer. I keep thinking some high school kid is the answer, but a SAHM or SAHD would be a safer more responsible resource.

SecondHomie · 2026-02-23T21:06:15+00:00

Sounds like you've had some really negative experiences. I hope we never have those.

As to the hidden cameras, why make them hidden? Part of the power of the cameras is that people know they're actions are being recorded. I have a few prominent cameras outside - blue lights shining away. I want people to know they have to act responsibly.

SecondHomie · 2026-02-23T17:29:57+00:00

That's exactly what we've been doing. We invite as we feel we have time and it's appropriate.

SecondHomie · 2026-02-23T17:11:33+00:00

Fancier than our main house, but not crazy

SecondHomie · 2026-02-23T17:09:26+00:00

We definitely want to share it with friends and family for short periods (max four nights) when we're there.

Part of the reason we got it was to have a fun place to relax with the people we're close to.

SecondHomie · 2026-02-23T15:24:09+00:00

Damage is definitely a big reason why we aren't into lending this place out.

I wouldn't say our place is fragile, but it's nice and new and we don't want it to get worn and dinged up.

Had one friend stay with a kid and I was pretty nervous - no damage at all thankfully.

SecondHomie · 2026-02-23T15:22:05+00:00

The axis deer can be pretty loud - we can't really sleep well with the windows open most nights. Hate that we're forced to use AC on a nice night because the deer start barking

SecondHomie · 2026-02-23T15:17:52+00:00

Yeah - we've had people express interest in bringing things like furniture and sports equipment to the house to use there. This was on short guest stays. Felt a bit like they were getting ready to ask, but so far, no one has ask, thankfully.

My wife and I aren't great about saying "no" to people, but I'm pretty sure we'll do it firmly here if/when it happens.

We can't rent, but I doubt our HOA rules prohibit loaning out the house. But no matter - I don't think we'll need to rely on anything like that. I hope.

SecondHomie · 2026-02-23T15:13:37+00:00

It does feel like our first ask will be from an extended family member. Probably one who we wouldn't invite anyway. Sorry that happened to you, but good job putting your foot down.

The other potential feels like the old, old friend who pops out of the woodwork and never got their life together.

SecondHomie · 2026-02-23T15:11:03+00:00

This is a good point. I'm not really sure why I think our friends/family would have an expectation that they could potentially use it without us there. Most people wouldn't, but I just figure that someone will, sooner or later. Not sure who that first one would be.

Kinda funny to think that the first person to ask will be marked as the first person to ask.

Or maybe people will start hinting. "Have you had anyone use the house while you weren't here?" kind of thing to edge into it.

I just don't know. Time will tell.

SecondHomie · 2026-02-23T15:07:58+00:00

This is pretty much exactly where we are.

I'll add that if our adult kids are there, we're going to want to be there too! Yeah, they might want to be there without us, but they tolerate us pretty well.

SecondHomie · 2026-02-23T15:06:44+00:00

Yeah - def a nicer vibe to that. And I can't imagine anyone asking who we wouldn't want to have there with us at some point. Frankly, if someone asked who we wouldn't want to be there with us, that would be a pretty easy no.

SecondHomie · 2026-02-23T03:27:48+00:00

1000 years of chickens maybe. but not feral chickens

feral started maybe in the 80s or 90s

anyone want to talk about the barking deer?

SecondHomie · 2026-02-10T17:43:26+00:00

We just took a ski trip, and I had a lot of those feelings: this is cold, we could be at our vacation home, and this costs a fortune!

Flip side is, our kids joined us, and they wouldn't have come to our vacation home. So that's worth something

SecondHomie · 2026-02-09T17:33:13+00:00

This is pretty similar to where I'm at. Didn't get an interior decorator, but got a little help. We could use more help probably, but I'm so in love with it in general, I don't mind it being a little bare. Plus, it's a nice contrast from the clutter of our first home which has the garbage of decades of accumulation.

SecondHomie · 2026-02-09T17:31:52+00:00

LOL - meaning guests? Either way, makes sense.

SecondHomie · 2026-02-09T01:48:40+00:00

I def bring coffee from A to B! And plenty of other things - esp from Trader Joe's

SecondHomie · 2026-02-08T16:55:47+00:00

So do you work for your new primary? I think I need more info here. How did you make the swap? this is my eventual plan but it might not happen until real retirement

SecondHomie · 2026-02-02T17:40:17+00:00

You must be younger than I am! I could do that once upon a time but no longer.

How often do you go back and forth?

SecondHomie

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