Preparing for the Off-Season

Learn about several critical safety measures for securing your vacation property

No matter what time of year it is, somewhere in the country homeowners are beginning to close up their vacation homes for the off season. And no matter whether it is a beach property, a lakeside retreat or a ski house, there are several critical safety measures to take before shuttering up the house, so you will have peace of mind that your home will remain in one piece until you return.

The professionals at Coldwell Banker® offer the following recommendations for securing your vacation property until next season:

1. Clear the entire premises of food to discourage pests. If you must keep certain staple items on hand be sure to secure them in thick, sealed containers, preferably glass or metal.

2. Clean out the refrigerator in its entirety, including the ice trays, and drain the ice maker hose. Defrost the freezer, leave both doors ajar but fastened to prevent shutting and trapping children or small animals.

3. Drain all water from the plumbing system and turn off the water at the main line. This will prevent against both freezing and leaks.

4. Leave all in-house doors open to encourage air flow.

5. Trim any trees and shrubbery away from the house to prevent damage in the event of severe storms. Put up the storm doors and windows to protect against strong winds.

6. If the house is in a ski resort, consider having someone on-call to clear the snow off your roof to avoid leaks into the home.

7. Clean out the gutters thoroughly.

8. Inspect the foundation of your home and seal any holes to keep wildlife from finding its way into your house.

9. If you have regular pest control treatments, be sure to continue them through the off season.

10. Bring in all patio furniture, toys, games, umbrellas, hoses and other outdoor items. If you have a satellite dish, if possible disconnect that and bring it inside.

11. Turn off natural gas or propane.

Most importantly, to give you the utmost peace of mind, hire someone to check on the house periodically while you are away.

Sources: eHow.com, About.com, Lowes.com

About Coldwell Banker®
Since 1906, the Coldwell Banker® organization has been a premier full-service real estate provider. In 2008, Franchise Times magazine's prestigious Top 200 issue ranked the Coldwell Banker system No. 1 in real estate for the ninth straight year and 12th among franchisors in all industries. The Coldwell Banker System has approximately 3,500 residential real estate offices and approximately 100,000 sales associates in 47 countries and territories. The Coldwell Banker System is a leader in the industry in residential and commercial real estate, and in niche markets such as resort, new home and luxury property through its Coldwell Banker Previews International® division. It is a pioneer in consumer services with its Coldwell Banker Concierge ® Service Program and award-winning Web site, www.coldwellbanker.com. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC is a subsidiary of Realogy Corporation, a global provider of real estate and relocation services. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Each office is independently owned and operated.