
Summertime is right around the corner, which means some homeowners will shutter up their main home and head to their summer home. If you’re planning on doing this over the summer, you must ensure that your primary home is ready for the time you’ll be gone.
While you may have some other steps to take to get ready for a summer away from home, these are some to consider doing to get your home ready.
Keep the Home Properly Maintained
A well-maintained home isn’t likely going to have issues while you’re gone. Before you head out for the summer, have the roof inspected to ensure there aren’t loose or damaged shingles that need to be fixed before the summer showers start. You can also have the air conditioning inspected so you can address any issues before you leave. Additionally, check on the condition of the doors and windows since they provide security for the house.
Have the Best Insurance Coverage
Your insurance coverage should be firmly in place before you leave. Review your high net worth home insurance to determine whether you need to alert them to the fact that you’re not going to be home. Some insurance policies require you to have a special rider to cover a vacant home. This won’t be an issue if you’re going to have someone stay in the home while you’re gone, which brings up the next point on this list.
Consider Hiring a House Sitter
If you’re going to leave for more than just a few days, you may want a house sitter. This prevents your home from being empty while you’re gone. Go through a reputable company to find a house sitter unless you know someone you can call for the job. Be sure that you discuss the requirements you have with the person. This includes things like making sure they take care of pets and clean up after themselves.
Plan for Upkeep While You’re Gone
While you’re gone, someone is going to need to take up basic upkeep tasks. This includes things like cutting the grass and taking care of landscaping. If you already have people hired for this, discuss the payment terms with them for while you’re gone. Virtual payment services, such as Venmo, Cashapp, or Zelle might help you to get these paid for. You can also ask them to alert you if anything seems amiss at your home.
Hold the Mail and Other Deliveries
Place a hold on the mail and contact other delivery services in your area to let them know that you need to hold any packages. This can prevent your home from having a buildup of mail in the mailbox or packages on the porch. You won’t have to worry about this if you have someone staying at your home while you’re gone.
The most important thing to remember is that you should try to think of any options possible for protecting your home while you’re away for the summer. Start thinking about this now so you can create a list and work on it until it’s time for you to leave.