Co-founder of BCB Technologies, creator of the Home Concierge Online Lifestyle Management Tool for Owners of Multiple Homes.

Stock two kitchens, pay insurance on the main house and HOA dues on the vacation condo, order a new furnace for the ski chalet, pick up new floodlights for the backyard and prepare for the in-laws visiting at the end of the month – this is an imposing list!  Managing one house can be stressful, managing two or more households can be overwhelming: there are home maintenance tasks, gardeners and cleaning services to schedule, taxes and insurances to pay, documents to file, guests to welcome and a host of other home-related activities that need your attention.  If you own multiple properties, the key to staying on top of all your properties is organization.

But, where do you begin?
First, relax. 
Organizing several homes is no different than organizing one room; the secret to organization is in the details. Here are several examples of how to manage important details in your properties:

• Be detailed with your responsibilities.  Create a detailed list on paper or create a database on your computer that categorizes the monthly, quarterly and yearly needs of each property.  Include the dates when insurances and taxes are due, when the furnace filters need to be replaced, when oil needs to be changed in the vehicles on the property, etc.  One month before the due dates, send yourself a reminder on your PDA or leave yourself a voicemail, this way you can set appointments, write checks, or place orders ahead of the dates.

• Be detailed with your time.  Use a monthly calendar to block out certain days when all maintenance tasks can be completed.  For example, if you will be at your vacation condo in September, schedule the locksmith and the window washer to come to the condo in the morning of the second day you’re there, so your afternoon is free to shop for groceries or prepare for a dinner party.  (Use your arrival day to unpack and settle in.)  At the end of the day you will have accomplished several necessary tasks and you won’t need to worry about handling them the rest of the week.  This means a more relaxing stay at your condo.

• Be detailed with your paperwork.  Make copies of your important papers and keep one set in each of your homes.  If you are away at your lake house and a problem occurs at your main house, you need to have the information on-hand for policy numbers, phone numbers, etc.  Having a complete set of important papers in the same location at each house (for example, the safe in the master bedroom closet of each house) is a tremendous stress-reliever. 

There are many wonderful benefits that come with owning multiple homes; with some forethought and organization, keeping several households running smoothly does not need to be worrisome or stressful.  The secret to managing multiple properties is in the details.  The more detailed you are the more simplified your life is – and this gives you greater opportunity to enjoy the time you have in your homes.

By: Alissa Cheff

About the Author

Alissa Cheff is a co-founder of BCB Technologies, creators of Home Concierge, an online lifestyle management tool for owners of multiple homes.  Home Concierge enables owners of multiple homes to organize and manage their properties, activities and information from a secure personalized Website, giving homeowners access to important information anytime and from anywhere – to simplify their lives.  Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit www.BCBTechnologies.com to learn more about Home Concierge.