Summary
This blog highlights often-overlooked gaps in home care that can lead to costly issues for both full-time and part-time homeowners in Durango. It covers common seasonal maintenance blind spots, the challenge of finding reliable vendors, and the importance of having a comprehensive plan in place. Colorado Concierge offers proactive property management solutions to ensure homes are always ready, cared for, and stress-free—no matter the season or whether you're in town or away.
In Durango, we take pride in taking care of our homes—whether we live here year-round or spend part of the year elsewhere. Most homeowners have their bases covered: plowing, HVAC, cleaning, even a favorite handyman on speed dial.
But it’s not usually the big things that cause headaches.
It’s the little ones no one sees coming.
As someone who manages high-end homes across the area, I’ve seen these small oversights turn into expensive fixes more times than I can count. So I put together a short list of the top 5 things I see homeowners—full-time and part-time—miss the most.
Whether you’re managing your own place or helping clients as a realtor, I hope these tips are helpful.
1. The “Still Working” Appliances
It runs, sure—but is it really working right? Refrigerators that don’t stay cold, dishwashers that don’t fully drain, washers with hidden leaks… they limp along until they fail completely. Usually right before a guest arrives.
🛠️ Pro Tip: Do a monthly test run. Feel for unusual vibrations, check for puddles underneath, and make sure no error lights are flashing. Trust your gut—if it seems “off,” it probably is.
2. Water in All the Wrong Places
Most leaks don’t start with a flood. They start under sinks, behind garage walls, or inside closets—quiet and slow, until damage is done. We’ve found everything from warped baseboards to black mold… all from something small that went unnoticed for weeks.
💧 Check these zones often: under bathroom sinks, around washing machines, near water heaters, and anywhere that backs up to an exterior wall.
3. Wildlife Visitors
We’ve found mice in cabinets, birds in dryer vents, snakes in garages, and squirrels storing snacks in BBQ grills. In Durango, critters are resourceful—and they love an undisturbed home.
🦝 Pro Move: Before each season, check for chewed wires, vent coverings, and droppings in storage zones. Don’t forget the attic and crawlspace.
4. Quiet Battery Fails
When a thermostat dies, or a smoke alarm doesn’t chirp because the battery’s out, it’s easy to miss. That is… until it causes a major issue or guests complain.
🔋 What to do: Swap out batteries in all key devices every 3–4 months—thermostats, irrigation systems, keypads, smoke detectors. Keep extras on-hand in a labeled drawer.
5. Signs No One’s Home
Flyers in the door. A week’s worth of packages. A car covered in pollen. These tiny details tell everyone—including contractors, neighbors, and unfortunately, thieves—that no one’s been around.
👀 Simple fix: Have someone check in regularly. Even 15 minutes a week to walk the property, bring in mail, or rotate lights makes a world of difference.
Final Thought
You don’t have to be a second homeowner to benefit from proactive home care. Durango’s wild weather, wildlife, and remote vendors make it easy for the smallest problems to grow if no one’s watching.
If you ever want help keeping an eye on your property—whether you’re away for the season or just overwhelmed with your to-do list—Colorado Concierge is here for that.
We’re based right here in town. We treat your home like it’s our own.
Thanks for reading—and for supporting local.