Our Snowbird clients are getting ready to leave Florida and head North. Whether this is your first year as a seasonal resident or you have made this round trip many times, check out the tips below. These preparations will help you keep your Florida home safe and in good repair during your absence. That will be great for your peace of mind while you are away, and ensure you encounter no nasty surprises when you return.
Security
- Have Your Mail Stopped/Forwarded: Contact the post office to have your mail redirected to your northern residence. Piles of mail are a giveaway to thieves that no one is home. To redirect your mail to your northern address, use this link.
- Contact Your Property Appraiser: If you have a Florida homestead exemption, contact your local property appraiser to request that the office forward mail to your northern address. This step is important because in November, the property appraiser sends a postcard through the U.S. mail to confirm your homestead exemption. The postcard says, return service requested. Therefore, if sent to your Florida address, that card will be routed back to the property appraiser, even if you have arranged for the post office to forward mail. If this happens, there is a chance you could lose your exemption. Several of our clients have learned this the hard way! Find contact information for your local property appraiser’s office here. (Also, remember that to qualify as a resident, you must be in Florida 6 months plus 1 day each calendar year.)
- Newspaper Delivery: If you get a newspaper delivery, stop that, too.
- Windows and Doors: Make sure all windows and doors are securely locked.
- Outside and Insight Lights: If you have exterior or interior lights on a timer, check to make sure they are working properly in order to give your home a “lived in” appearance.
- Valuables: If you have valuables in your home, take them with you, or store them in a secure location.
- Smoke Alarms: Smoke alarm batteries should be changed annually. If you have not changed yours yet, do it before you leave.
- Hurricane Shutters: If you have hurricane shutters, put them up before you depart. In some communities, you are not allowed to put up shutters until a weather event actually threatens. If that is the case in your community, make arrangements for someone to install them if it becomes necessary.
- Curtains: Draw blinds, drapes and curtains to prevent anyone from peeking in.
- Alarm System: If you have an alarm system, check to make sure it is working properly.
- Notify Local Law Enforcement: Some police departments will keep an eye on your home during regular patrols if you let them know you will be away for an extended period. Consider contacting yours to see if this service is available.
- Homeowners Association: If you are located in a community with a homeowners association, make the association aware that you will be away so they can keep an eye on your home from time to time.
Outdoors
- Trees: Trees on your property that need trimming should be attended to now. This decreases the chances that they will topple in a storm, damaging property or injuring someone. Interestingly, right now the Florida Legislature is considering the Fallen Tree Act, HB 599. If passed, you will be responsible to pay for repairs to anyone’s property if it is damaged by falling branches that originated on your property. You can read the proposed legislation here.
- Lawn Service: If you have a lawn service, have them continue to service your home while you are away. An overgrown lawn is an obvious signal to bad actors that no one is home.
- Outside Items: Take in any items from the exterior of your home – patio furniture, flower pots, gardening tools, for example – that could blow away in a storm and damage your or someone else’s property or injure someone.
Control Water, Prevent Mold and Mildew
Florida summers are humid and hot. You should prepare your house to deter the growth of mold and mildew.
- Air Conditioning: Leave your air conditioning on, set to between 75 and 80. Have the system checked before you leave to make sure it is functioning properly.
- Interior Doors: Keep interior doors open to keep air flowing among rooms.
- Curtains: Besides preventing people from knowing that you are not home, closing any window coverings will keep the sun from heating up your house. It will also protect your furnishings from UV damage caused by intense sunlight.
- Cleaning: Thoroughly clean and disinfect your house; mold grows on organic matter.
- Water: Shut it off, except if it’s needed to water your lawn and garden.
- Ice Maker: If your refrigerator has an automatic ice maker, turn it off.
- Dishwasher and Washing Machine: Consider leaving the doors to your dishwasher and washing machine open, to be sure any residual water inside will dry.
- Small appliances, computers: Unplug small appliances and computers.
- Perishables: Remove all perishables from refrigerator and cupboards, and dispose of trash.
Documents
- Estate Planning Documents: You should always have a copy of these documents with you. Take the flash drive our office provided you, or have documents uploaded so you can access them if needed. If you leave your originals at your Florida home, make sure they are stored in some type of container that is both waterproof and fireproof.
- Other Important Documents: Be sure you have access to other important documents, such as flood and homeowners insurance policies for your Florida residence.
Trusted Local Contact
If you have a trusted friend, neighbor or relative nearby, let the person know you will be away and how to reach you. Consider providing the person with a key and alarm code so that he/she can enter the house in the event of emergency.
Checklist
The University of Florida publication, “Closing Your Seasonal Home,” is a detailed checklist of preparations Snowbirds can take prior to leaving. Access it here.
Have a safe trip back and home. We will see you when you get back! If you’re staying put in Florida for the summer, stay cool!
