September 3, 2018
September: the season of schedules, hearty soups, crisp evening air, and swapping out your flip-flops for socks and shoes. It’s also that time of year when winterizing your vacation home shows up on your “to-do” list. It’s a busy time, indeed, but don’t let your demanding fall schedule distract you. Properly closing up your summer home for the off-season needs to be a top priority. Remember: your summer home is more than a place to house special memories and build traditions, it’s one of your most valuable assets. Ensure your property is secure, safe and protected throughout the off-season by following this Vacation Property Winterization Guide from Real Property Management Executives.
Inspect your property
When you’re caught up in the nirvana of lake life it’s easy to miss what’s right on front of you. Take time to walk through and around your property with an eagle’s perspective. Take special notice of places you don’t regularly look, like under sinks to check for slow leaks or up in the trees to check for dead branches. Make a list of all the repairs that need to be done, then prioritize them. Which can easily wait till you return next summer? Which has the potentiality of becoming a much a larger problem? Remember: preventative maintenance beats reactive maintenance any day of the week.
Prepare the exterior
Your summer home will be exposed to the winds, snows, and spring thaw of the off season, so it’s important to prepare it for the extremes. Prune your trees and shrubs and remove any dead branches or growth. Put away your outdoor furniture, toys and cushions and make sure they are locked up in a dry, secure place. Real Property Management Executives ensures that gutters are cleaned and ready for spring thaw and takes precautions to make sure all exterior entry points – such as chimneys and large cracks/openings in the foundation – are sealed to keep out rodents and birds seeking warmth. Making these minor preparations are simple ways to avoid expensive accidents or small, unwanted guests.
Prepare the interior
Leaving your vacation home after a fantastic summer holiday needs to involve more than just locking the doors and leaving with your suitcases, and Real Property Management Executives knows that a few simple tasks can make all the difference when it comes to avoiding expensive insurance claims. Open all faucets to a slow drip and turn off the water at the main supply point. Empty and clean your appliances and unplug them to avoid any electrical malfunctions or unnecessary electrical bills. Leave the doors on your fridge, dishwasher and washing machine open just a little bit to avoid any mold growth, and leave an opened box of baking soda in the fridge to absorb odors. Unplug all your electronics, such as tvs, stereos, video games and computers. And most importantly: turn your gas off and leave your sump pump on!
Winterize your outdoor pool
Your outdoor pool was surely a source of great joy and reprieve throughout the hot summer, but it can also be a source of great pain and expense if not properly winterized. In order to avoid unwanted algae or mold from blooming, make sure your chemicals are properly balanced. Do not drain your pool completely, but do lower the water to below the skimmer and jet levels to allow for expansion when the water freezes. Drain and blow out the water from the filter, pump and heater to avoid lines from freezing and bursting. It’s very important to cover your pool, preferably with a solid cover, to protect people, pets and wildlife from possibly falling in. Real Property Management Executives can schedule a winterization service on your behalf, protecting you from avoidable, and often extremely expensive repairs come spring.
Check your security and your insurance
It’s an unfortunate reality: a vacant home can attract the unwanted attention of thieves, vandals and squatters, especially through the winter months. Protect your property by ensuring you have a security system that will immediately alert the authorities should the security be breeched. And most importantly, make sure you have the right kind of insurance. Notify your insurance agent of the dates to which your summer home will be empty to ensure you have the proper coverage should the need arise. Pay attention to the details: many insurance policies require regular on-site visits (i.e. every 3 days) in order for any insurance claims to be approved. Real Property Management Executives can schedule regular and thorough inspections of your property to ensure you are compliant with your insurance provider’s requirements.
Find someone to take care of it for you
The saying is “good fences make good neighbours,” but when it comes to protecting your vacant summer home, a watchful neighbour might be your best asset. Connect with people who live nearby, year long, and ask them to keep an eye open for anything suspicious. Before summer’s end, leave them your contact information and a “thank you” basket of local wines and preserves, or a gift card to a popular restaurant to show your appreciation. Alternatively, consider renting out your vacation home on a short term lease. Real Property Management Executives thorough screening process will find you the perfect tenant who will respect your property as it were their own, and will manage all maintenance and upkeep requests on your behalf. Not only will this ensure you have on-site eyes and ears to protect your asset, but it will also generate a cash flow for you.
We can all agree there’s a certain melancholy that comes with the end of summer. But there’s also the relief that comes with new routines. Don’t let the excitement of getting settled in your fall routines distract you from all the items on your “to do” list. By following this Vacation Property Winterization Guide, a bit of time and effort will go a long way. Consider it an investment on your property to avoid larger, long-term problems. Real Property Management Executives knows that one of the best ways to avoid middle-of-the-night calls and emergency situations is by being a proactive property owner. Take the time and schedule a quick review of your property today.
