Whether you are a snowbird that heads down South for the winter, someone that takes frequent extended vacations, or you simply find your home unoccupied for any reason, there are our top 7 things you can do to protect your home.

1.       Discuss your plans with a trusted neighbor. Letting your neighbor know of your travel dates and who should be visiting your house while you are gone is a crucial step for anyone that will be away. Your neighbors are someone you know, trust, and will look at your house many times a day. This simple step can go a long way to ensure there is not anything amiss at your property.

2.       Call your city to be put on the deputy watch list. Most cities have a list for any residents that will be away from their home for extended periods. The deputy will do a drive-by on a regular basis during your absence. Some cities have an additional service where community volunteers will drive on your driveway and check on things from outside, making sure nothing is wrong and to make it look occupied.

3.       Turn off your main water valve. Water damage can be a very costly disaster in a home. By turning your water off, you are taking a step to reduce potential water issues. Be sure to call your water or plumbing service provider to understand what to do with your water heater, softener, and other systems you might have.  There are often vacation or bypass modes that you can put your systems in.

4.       Hire a professional Home Watch company like Snowbird Home Watch. Snowbird Home Watch will perform regular and thorough visits to your property. We will cycle your water and keep things operating properly and look for any small problems before they become big issues. We are your trusted partner for your home while you are away.   Things can and will happen. Anything from furnace malfunctions, power outages, pests, severe storms, your home watch professional will be there to execute a plan if a problem arises. A professional company trained in Home Watch is insured, bonded and background-checked . Snowbird Home Watch can also help with concierge services and provide vendor access for service done in your absence. To learn more about Home Watch and to get your free Home Watch interview guide here.

5.    Make sure your property doesn’t look vacant. In Minnesota, snow removal is a must. Lawn care in the summer is also important to maintain a lived-in appearance.  By not having these services done, it makes your house an easy target for potential crime.   If you have Snowbird Home Watch overseeing your home, we will remove flyers, newspapers, and anything else that gives the signal of an unoccupied house.  Another easy step is to have lights on timers for the interior and exterior of your home. 

6.       Before you leave, schedule and perform regular maintenance. Important items include furnace and AC tune ups, filling your water softener with salt, and changing your furnance filter. Other important tasks are to schedule your lawn care and snow removal needs while you will be away.

7.       Remove all perishables from your refrigerator and your pantry. If something is open in your pantry, it should go in an air tight container or be thrown out. No one wants to come home to the mess of rotten food or critters.