For snowbirds, the ability to live
in Arizona part of the year and enjoy cooler climes the rest of the year is key
to an enjoyable retirement. But having
two homes requires some year-round effort. If you are new to the snowbird life, what
should you be doing to keep both properties in good condition when you're not
at home? Here's a handy checklist to use
as a starting point.
1.
Hire a
Cleaning Service
Someone needs to enter your home on a regular basis and make
sure things remain in good order and ready for your arrival. This is especially important if your schedule
is unpredictable and you want your home in a “ready state” for you or guests at
all times. A cleaning service is ideal for this job.
Have your cleaning service enter the home every two to four
weeks and do a regular cleaning to prevent dust, grime and pest buildup.
2.
Maintain Appropriate Insurance
Ensure both homes in the best way for the area in which they are
located. Insurance needs will differ in
the two regions, so work with a local insurance agent for each property. A home in a flash-flood zone in Arizona may
need flood insurance, while a property in storm-prone eastern Colorado may need
more coverage for external hail damage or tornadoes. If the homes are significantly different sizes
and values, this could necessitate different coverage limits overall.
3.
Take Valuables With You
Don't leave anything in your empty
house that might attract thieves. Start
by packing up valuable jewelry, important documents and antiques. If you can't
take everything — such as televisions, large artwork or family heirlooms — to
your other home, pack it up and place it out of sight in a basement, attic or
interior storage room.
You may also be able to leave some
valuables with friends or family before packing up for the summer or
winter.
4.
Use Remote Devices
Modern technology is a great way to
maintain an eye — and a hand — on your empty property. Doorbell and front-porch
cameras allow you to see who comes to the house while you're gone. Keyless
entry systems will allow you to let cleaners and repair workers inside without
being at the property yourself. Consider
a local service to install a security system to help watch the property.
5.
Know Local Services
If your cleaning service or
neighbors report a problem at your home, how will you handle it long distance? Develop a list of key service providers in the
local area that you can call for emergency or routine maintenance and repairs.
This list should include a local plumber, electrician, handyman, roofing
company, heating & air conditioning
vendor, exterminator, pool service and landscaping service.
By developing a relationship with a
residential property management service such as NorthStar
Cleaning & Property Services
while you're in town, you can have a representative on site with access to
local service providers for faster response during an emergency when you are
away. This also gives you a one-call resource when you are in residence and
need service from trusted vendors.
6.
Shut Off What You Can
Determine what services and devices
you can safely turn off when you're not using the home for a few months. Consider turning off things like cable and
wireless services if you don't have permanent devices such as security systems
or phone lines linked to them.
Cancel subscription services and
have mail forwarded to your other house so things don't pile up.
Turn up or down thermostats,
depending on the season, lower water heater temperatures and unplug the
recirculating heat pump(s) to save energy
and money on electric bills.
By applying these few items when
preparing your part-time property to be vacant, you can leave with more confidence.
At NorthStar
Cleaning & Property Services,
we serve Arizona homeowners of all types, including those with multiple
properties, full-time and seasonal residence. Call us today to discuss ways we
can help keep your home in its best shape all year long.
