Preparing Your Beach House for the Season. The Struggle is Real- But it Doesn’t Have to Be!

In New Jersey, this time of year marks the unofficial countdown to Memorial Day—and the official kickoff to the migration to the Jersey Shore! If you’re one of the lucky ones who own a house at the Shore, it’s time to shift gears and start prepping your beach retreat for summer fun with friends and family.

Ocean City, NJ tops the list of communities with the highest percentage of seasonal residents—61% of mortgages written there are for second homes, according to a 2023 SmartAsset survey. But Ocean City is far from alone. Many of the beautiful towns dotting the New Jersey coastline are made up largely of second homes. And while owning a beach house is certainly a dream come true, opening up that home after a long winter takes a lot of coordination, time, and effort. 

Here’s a simple checklist of the key tasks that you need to do to make sure your beach home is summer-ready:

1. Clean from Top to Bottom

Your beach house likely sat closed up for months, so start with a thorough cleaning. Open the windows, air out the rooms, and wipe down surfaces to remove any dust or mildew that may have built up. Don’t forget to:

• Deep clean kitchens and bathrooms

• Wash linens, towels, and bedding

• Clean out the fridge and pantry

• Vacuum behind furniture and under beds

2. Inspect and Test Home Systems

Before hosting guests, test all major systems and appliances. This includes:

• HVAC (especially air conditioning) ONLY if the temperature is warmer than 60 degrees out

• Water heater

• Electrical outlets and lighting

• Smoke and CO detectors (replace batteries if needed)

• Wi-Fi and cable connections

3. Landscaping and Yard Work

Curb appeal matters—even at the beach. A spring landscaping cleanup will make your property inviting and safe. Be sure to:

• Clear gutters and ensure downspouts are draining away from the foundation

• Check grading along the foundation to ensure proper slope for water run off

• Rake leaves and remove winter debris, prune shrubs, and trees 

• Plant fresh flowers or summer annuals, and seed lawn if needed

• Check irrigation systems, driveway drains for proper function

4. Power Washing

Salt air and sand take a toll on exteriors. Power wash the siding, decks, patios, outdoor furniture, and walkways to remove buildup and freshen everything up.

5. Pool and Hot Tub Preparation

If you have a pool or hot tub, schedule service to:

• Remove the cover

• Clean and balance the water

• Inspect pumps and filters

• Stock up on supplies like chlorine or shock treatments

6. Stocking Up

Consider a pre-season stock up of essentials including paper towels, bathroom tissue, shampoo, soap, cleaning products, and non-perishable food items and favorite beverages so you are always ready for guests.  

A New Category in Home Services 

Property Watch and Home Concierge Services are an emerging home service category offering busy homeowners a one-stop resource to manage their home. Whether it’s simply being there to let your HVAC service tech in to service your systems, unpacking your Instacart order, or taking care of scheduling gutter cleaning or power washing, Away Team is your winning solution.  

If the thought of coordinating all those services and projects takes the “happy” out of your “happy place”, Away Team Property Watch and Concierge may be just what you need.  Allison and Pat Francis, co-founders of Away Team, offer Home Concierge and Handyman services for your vacation home. As multiple property owners themselves, they know firsthand how much time and effort it takes to juggle it all. 

The process starts with an easy review of customer needs and the development of a plan that is customized for each situation. The highly personalized approach that Away Team uses helps to meet the individual needs of homeowners so that their summer down the Shore can be all that they want it to be- without the added stress that comes along with maintaining multiple properties. If the checklist above sounds daunting, contact us to see how we can help. Away Team is your Jersey Shore partner in all things home!