Closing Up Your Arizona Winter Home for the Summer
A big reason for owning a vacation home is rest and relaxation, but it's not all fun and games if you return to it next year to find it's not in the shape you left it. Here in Arizona, as the winter visitors begin to make their way back to their summer homes, closing up a winter home properly can mean a big difference in the work required once you return in the fall.
The emphasis needs to be on safeguarding your home against the elements in addition to fire risks. Here are some common closing tasks:
- Secure all windows and doors.
- Bring in outdoor furniture.
- Unplug the appliances, entertainment units, computers - everything. The lightning from our summer monsoon storms can wreak havoc with electrical equipment.
- Turn off the air conditioner entirely or set the thermostat at a high temperature, like 90 or 95. Your decision is related to what items are being left in the house. Is there artwork that you don't want to dry out in the heat? Does your security system only work at a particular temperature? Do you leave your wine collection in the house?
- If you have natural gas, turn off the gas at the main valve.
- Turn off the water to the house at the main valve.
- Turn off ceiling fans, indoors and out. Sometimes we forget to look up before we leave the house!
- Leave all the interior doors open so the air can circulate inside the house.
- Close all the blinds and drapes to keep as much heat out of the house as possible.
- If you use call forwarding on your land line, now is the time to set it.
- Open the doors to the washer and dryer, the dishwasher, and any other appliance that typically seals up.
- Unplug the garage door opener.
- Turn the water heater off.
- Ask a neighbor to check every couple of days to remove any flyers, phone books, or packages that may be tossed into your driveway or left by your front door.
Understandably, some of the items in the checklist might not apply to your particular house since everyone's needs are slightly different. To deter vandalism and theft, consider installing a home security system. You can also put in automatic indoor lights that turn on at dusk or outside flood lights that are motion-activated.
Having a seasonal home is wonderful. Enjoy summer, everyone, no matter where you spend it!
Find your very own vacation home now on the only Arizona real estate website you'll ever need.
Cat Gunderson, REALTOR, CDPE
928.300.1226
Russ Lyon Sothey's International Realty, Sedona AZ
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