Thank heavens for the current renaissance in smart home technology. Honestly, where would remote owners be without gadgets like smart locks, lighting systems, thermostats, and sensor-packed security hubs? These brilliant gizmos are making it so much easier to manage the minutiae and monitor what's happening under the proverbial roof.

Just take smart locks, for instance. Once upon a time, dealing with keys was a constant hassle—making copies, distributing them, changing locks after every housekeeping service or contractor visit. Now, with a simple app, you can customize entry codes and set schedules for every single guest and vendor that needs access. Easy peasey.

The same principle applies to virtually every aspect of the home. Forgot to adjust the thermostat ahead of your arrival? A few taps and you can make sure it's the perfect ambient temperature before you even pull into the driveway. Wondering if your brother-in-law decided to crank up the hot tub to its highest setting? Smart water systems let you keep an eye on things. You can even get smart alerts whenever a door or window is opened or if abnormal sounds or disturbances are detected.

Smart surveillance setups are another must-have for watchful owners. Visible security cameras can help deter any mischief from guests (or unwanted visitors when the home is empty). Many also integrate with the locks, thermostats, and other connected systems to give you a holistic picture of what's happening.

​Of course, no amount of smart wizardry can foresee every possible predicament. A burst pipe, an appliance conking out, or just general wear-and-tear will always necessitate human handiwork at some point.

If you're going to be an absentee property owner, assembling a rock-solid team on the ground is absolutely crucial. I'm talking the full Seal Team Six of vacation home operatives—gardeners, pool cleaners, plumbers, electricians, handymen, you name it.

These become your eyes, ears, and boots on the ground when you're miles away. They're the ones who can swiftly jump in to address any issues, big or small, so your precious vacation oasis stays in tiptop shape.

Of course, building that go-to network of reliable vendors is easier said than done. My advice? Don't be afraid to lean on your realtor and any local friends or connections for referrals. While online reviews can help separate the studs from the duds, nothing beats a personal recommendation from someone you trust.

Once you've identified some promising candidates, put them through their paces a bit:

Do they respond promptly to calls and messages?
Are they upfront about pricing and policies?
Do they have good availability for your area and turnaround times?
How do they handle special requests or unique property quirks?

A great team should make you feel like your vacation home is their highest priority, even when you're not physically there to crack the whip.

Here's another pro tip: At least once or twice a year, schedule someone from your A-Team to do a thorough walkthrough. I'm talking a deep inspection and maintenance check—inside and out.

Little things have a way of slipping through the cracks between guest turnovers. A ceiling fan pulled loose. Strange moisture stains that could signal a leak. Faulty outlet covers or handrails that may have gotten loose.

​Having a trusted pair of eyes regularly evaluate every nook and cranny is so valuable. It helps get ahead of minor issues before they escalate into costly repairs. Additionally, it guarantees that your house will gleam beautifully for the arrival of each and every guest as well as for your own stress-free enjoyment and relaxation.

Okay, let's say you've done everything right so far. You've got the smart home thing down pat. You assembled the avengers of property service pros. But there's still one X-factor that can make or break the remote owner experience: Guest communication.

When you're not physically present at your vacation home, it's absolutely imperative to have a locked-and-loaded system for responding to any guest needs or concerns at a moment's notice. We're not just talking random housekeeping issues either. I mean anything—maintenance problems, troubles with amenities, you name it.

​Miss that first "the hot tub isn't heating up" text, and your guests could end up having a total vacation fail on your hands before you even know what hit you. Not exactly the makings of a 5-star review.

For starters, you'll want to provide guests with a direct line to reach you at all hours. Clearly advertise your contact info, response times, and backup contacts just in case you happen to be off-planet for a bit.

It's also wise to leverage handy apps and software that consolidate all guest communications onto a single platform—texts, emails, payment info, you name it. That way, you have a centralized hub for tracking every incoming question or request. You'll want to be hyper-diligent about monitoring this 24/7.

​That may sound a bit extreme, but trust me—being an attentive remote owner is a full-time job within itself. Unless you're prepared for that level of commitment, you may want to seriously consider..

Still dreaming of owning your own piece of Florida paradise? I bet you are! However, you might be now reconsidering the idea of renting it out to cover maintenance costs when it's not in use. Ok, but do you really want to arrive at your Florida retreat only to be greeted by a list of repairs? I doubt it – that's not the dream.

Still with me so far? Good, because I've got one more brilliant solution that lets you kiss the nightmare of remote property management goodbye forever: co-ownership through a company like Pacaso.