Get to know your neighbors

Most vacation home owners don't live near their vacation home and therefore must rely on outside help. For most, the local property manager is there to maintain the grounds, remove trash and deal with renter problems. A good property management company will also provide many other services such as a plumber, electrician, housekeeper, carpenter and pool maintenance guy.

Giving an extra house key to your local rep (Hidden Valley Foundation) may save the day. With a list of service people to contact from while at home, the vacation homeowner can quickly and efficiently provide for any vacationer issue. Be sure to post your phone numbers prominently, by the phone or on the refrigerator. I also recommend leaving any important emergency numbers.

The best property management company I have found locally is Mountain Resort Properties. They will hand out your keys, clean your unit and deal with any issues that may arise. I also recommend getting to know the staff at the Hidden Valley foundation. The foundation can be a great resource in times of need.

You can also meet a lot of local owners and neighbors at the Hidden Valley Foundation meetings. For more information check out there website.