Potential vacancy ideas, insight request

[soulchoice]

As I know and respect many on this board, I am seeking some advice with regards to my house in Calgary. As some are aware, I’ve been in London, UK for the last year and a half, and as such a renting out my home in Cranston. The tenants have since given a notice to vacate by June 1.

There is a chance I may be moving back to Calgary in October or November, depending on the work I can get there. What would many of you do in this case?

1. Leave it vacant till I return.
2. Furnish it and rent out as Airbnb on occasion. I’ll be coming back for a week and a half to do the walk through with the tenants, so I can move furniture in for an Airbnb.
3. Id find new renters, one issue is in the event I do move back, I would likely want to move back into my home.
4. Open to any other ideas.

Lastly, if I was to leave it vacant or Airbnb it. Does anyone have contacts? My concern is that I don’t really have anyone in the city that I can rely on to look after the property if vacant. Unless, I just pay someone to keep the grass cut during the summer months.

[Snuffleupagus]

All I will say is it's ever a good idea to leave a house vacant for months

[activeStick]

Agree that if it can be avoided, don't leave your home vacant. Short term rental (6 months) is probably your best option. Airbnb is an option but I'd be concerned about parties...

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by soulchoice

As I know and respect many on this board, I am seeking some advice with regards to my house in Calgary. As some are aware, I’ve been in London, UK for the last year and a half, and as such a renting out my home in Cranston. The tenants have since given a notice to vacate by June 1.

There is a chance I may be moving back to Calgary in October or November, depending on the work I can get there. What would many of you do in this case?

1. Leave it vacant till I return.
2. Furnish it and rent out as Airbnb on occasion. I’ll be coming back for a week and a half to do the walk through with the tenants, so I can move furniture in for an Airbnb.
3. Id find new renters, one issue is in the event I do move back, I would likely want to move back into my home.
4. Open to any other ideas.

Lastly, if I was to leave it vacant or Airbnb it. Does anyone have contacts? My concern is that I don’t really have anyone in the city that I can rely on to look after the property if vacant. Unless, I just pay someone to keep the grass cut during the summer months.

Just an FYI, you might want to read your insurance policy.

Leaving a house vacant can void coverages.

[photon]

Yeah I think my insurance is something like 4 days.

I've never had an Airbnb but it seems you'd want someone locally to manage it, and if you can get that you could get someone to check in on it frequently too.

Would the cost of furnishing it and managing it be worth the hassle for only 4-5 months?

[Calgary14]

House sitter, there are lots of people wanting to house sit; my parents (retired) love doing that even if it means some basic house maintenance. I wouldn't leave it vacant as too many things can happen and you wont know

[soulchoice]

Thanks for everyones input on this, I am now looking into all the options. CP is still the best for great insight!

[jayswin]

pm'd

[bizaro86]

I'd do this as a fixed term rental ie 6 month term explicitly not guaranteeing renewal. The rental market is so tight you'll be able to find someone who agrees to that easily.