How to be a Snowbird—here is your checklist
How to be a snowbird? It's a question both future and veteran snowbirds have asked! Leaving your home for an extended period of time requires planning, coordination, and help.
That is why LeAnn and Molly started Salt Air Concierge—to help people like you gain peace of mind when spending time away from a home. As Realtors on the South Shore for over 10 years each, LeAnn and Molly are not only experts on homes and how to protect your investment, but they also know the area and how to best prepare for everything Mother Nature throws at us in New England.
Here is a tried and true checklist of what you can do to prepare for a season away from home.
Hold the mail and newspapers. If you’re going away for longer than a week, put a stop on the mail and newspapers or ask a neighbor to take them in.
Put your lights on a timer. Put at least one light in your house on a timer so it looks like someone is home. Programmable timers let you randomize the daily on/off times.
Move your car. Move your car into the garage so that it’s less vulnerable to theft and out of harm’s way in case of a storm.
Set your A/C and heating system. Don’t completely turn off your air conditioning or heating system. If you’re going away when it’s warm, set your A/C to about 10 degrees below the outside temperature so big appliances don’t have to work extra hard. If you’re going away in the winter, set your heat to around 55 degrees to prevent frozen pipes.
Turn off the water. If you’re going away for longer than a week, turn off your main water supply. If you don’t want to turn off all the water, then close the valves to your washing machine, dishwasher, ice maker, and toilets to prevent potential leaks.
Adjust your shades and lock up. You don’t want your empty home on display, but you don’t want to shut your shades if you normally never do that. Instead, close your shades partially to block the view while giving an “at-home” appearance. Also, remember to lock your windows and doors to keep burglars at bay.
Pay your bills. Sewer, electric, gas, mortgage, car payment … the list could go on. Be sure to make any upcoming payments to keep your credit in good standing.
Notify your home alarm company. Let them know that you’ll be away, when you’ll be returning, and if anyone will be going into your home. This will be helpful if they need to respond to an alarm.
Arrange for lawn maintenance/snow removal. A snowy driveway or an overgrown lawn is a telltale sign no one is home. Try contacting a local service or enlist a neighbor’s help.
Water your plants. Don’t let them go thirsty while you’re away! Also get rid of fresh-cut flowers, which could start to smell.
Clean your kitchen. Wash your dirty dishes, clean the sink trap, and pour vinegar down your garbage disposal. Wipe down the counters and discard perishables from the fridge and pantry. Make sure the oven and stove are turned off.
Empty the trash. Take out the trash so you don’t come home to a horrible stench or unwanted pests. Ask a neighbor or friend to take your cans to the curb and bring them back promptly. Again, the goal is to make it look like someone’s home.
Call Salt Air Concierge and gain peace of mind that your house will be monitored while you are away!