Snowbird Home Preparation Checklists
Heading south for the winter? Don't leave your home's safety to chance.
The Preparing Your Home for a Worry-Free Winter Away Checklist is a comprehensive guide designed specifically for northern homeowners who leave their homes unattended for weeks or months at a time. Created by professional home watch provider Ana Cantell of Snowbird Home Watch, this resource walks you through the essential steps to protect your property before you leave.
From preventing frozen pipes and water damage to managing utilities, securing your home, preparing vehicles, coordinating maintenance, and planning for emergencies, this checklist helps ensure nothing gets overlooked.
Inside You'll Find:
✔ A detailed timeline beginning 1-2 months before departure
✔ Step-by-step home preparation guidance for:
HVAC systems
Water systems
Appliances
Home security
Vehicle storage
Exterior maintenance
Insurance considerations
✔ Recommendations for smart monitoring devices and temperature alerts
✔ Home watch planning and insurance tips
✔ A complete departure day checklist
✔ Space for personal notes, contacts, and improvements for future seasons
Who This Guide Is For
Snowbirds heading south for the winter
Seasonal homeowners
Vacation property owners
Anyone leaving their home vacant for an extended period
Why It Matters
Many homeowners are surprised to learn that a small issue can become a major and costly problem when a home sits unattended. Water leaks, heating failures, pest issues, and storm damage can escalate quickly. This checklist helps you prepare proactively so you can enjoy your time away with greater confidence and peace of mind.
Whether you're a first-time snowbird or a seasoned seasonal traveler, this guide provides a clear system to help protect one of your most valuable assets: your home.
Format: Digital PDF Download (You will receive a secure link to the file that expires after 24 hours)
Length: Comprehensive multi-page checklist and planning guide (12 pages)
Created By: Ana Cantell, Owner of Snowbird Home Watch
Start your season with confidence and enjoy a worry-free winter away.
Preparing Your Home for a Worry-Free Summer Away from Your Seasonal Property
A Seasonal Homeowner Checklist for Extended Time Away
Planning extended time away from your seasonal property? Whether you're spending the season at the cabin, traveling across the country, or simply leaving your home unattended for several weeks, taking the time to prepare your property can help prevent costly surprises while you're away.
The Preparing Your Home for a Worry-Free Summer Away Checklist is a comprehensive planning guide designed to help seasonal homeowners protect their homes during extended absences. Created by professional home watch provider Ana Cantell of Snowbird Home Watch, this resource provides a step-by-step system to prepare your home, reduce risk, and enjoy your time away with greater peace of mind.
Inside You'll Find:
✔ A detailed timeline beginning 1-2 months before departure
✔ Step-by-step home preparation guidance for:
• HVAC systems and humidity control
• Water systems and leak prevention
• Appliances and electronics
• Home security and monitoring
• Vehicle storage and maintenance
• Exterior maintenance and storm preparation
• Insurance considerations
✔ Recommendations for smart monitoring devices and home alerts
✔ Home watch planning and insurance tips
✔ A complete departure day checklist
✔ Space for personal notes, contacts, and improvements for future seasons
Who This Guide Is For
• Seasonal homeowners
• Property owners spending the summer away
• Extended vacationers
• RV travelers
• Retirees splitting time between multiple homes
• Anyone leaving their home vacant for an extended period
Why It Matters
While winter often gets the attention, summer brings its own risks. Severe storms, power outages, humidity issues, plumbing leaks, pest activity, and equipment failures can quickly become costly problems when a home sits unattended.
This checklist helps you prepare proactively so you can enjoy your travels, time at your Northern home, or extended summer plans with greater confidence and peace of mind.
Whether you're leaving for a few weeks or several months, this guide provides a clear system to help protect one of your most valuable assets: your home.
Format: Digital PDF Download (You will receive a secure link to the file that expires after 24 hours)
Length: Comprehensive multi-page checklist and planning guide (14 pages)
Created By: Ana Cantell, Owner of Snowbird Home Watch
Start your summer with confidence and enjoy a worry-free time away.
Inside You'll Find:
✔ A detailed timeline beginning 1-2 months before departure
Northern Home Winter Shutdown
1-2 Months Before Departure
Home maintenance planning
HVAC service and preparation
Water system planning
Vehicle storage planning
Home watch arrangements
Insurance review
1-2 Weeks Before Departure
Mail and package management
Food and pantry preparation
Security setup
Exterior winter preparation
Smart monitoring device installation
Departure Day Checklist
Water shut-off procedures
Water heater and softener settings
Thermostat settings
Appliance preparation
Final security walkthrough
✔ Step-by-step guidance for preparing your Northern Home, including:
HVAC systems
Water systems
Appliances
Home security
Vehicle storage
Exterior maintenance
Insurance considerations
Southern Home Summer Shutdown
1-2 Months Before Departure
Hurricane and storm season planning
HVAC servicing
Pest control scheduling
Exterior maintenance review
Home watch planning
1-2 Weeks Before Departure
Water system preparation
Humidity control planning
Mail and package arrangements
Vehicle storage preparation
Security and monitoring setup
Departure Day Checklist
Water shut-off procedures
HVAC and humidity settings
Appliance preparation
Storm readiness checks
Final security walkthrough
✔ Step-by-step guidance for preparing your Southern Home, including:
HVAC and humidity control
Water systems
Storm preparation
Pest prevention
Appliances and electronics
Vehicle storage
Home security
Insurance considerations
✔ Recommendations for smart monitoring devices, leak detectors, and temperature alerts
✔ Home watch planning tips for both properties
✔ Annual vendor and emergency contact worksheets
✔ Space for personal notes, maintenance records, and improvements for future seasons
Who This Guide Is For
Snowbirds who own homes in two states
Seasonal homeowners
Retirees splitting time between residences
Vacation property owners
Anyone responsible for managing multiple homes throughout the year
Why It Matters
Many snowbirds focus on preparing the home they're leaving behind but overlook the fact that both homes will likely sit vacant at different times throughout the year.
A frozen pipe in Minnesota, a humidity issue in Florida, a water leak, pest problem, or storm-related damage can quickly become a costly repair when a property sits unattended.
This guide helps you create a repeatable process for properly closing down both homes, reducing risk and giving you greater peace of mind wherever the season takes you.
Format: Digital PDF Download (You will receive a secure link to the file that expires after 24 hours)
Length: Comprehensive multi-page checklist and planning guide (25 pages)
Created By: Ana Cantell, Owner of Snowbird Home Watch
Protect both homes, stay organized, and enjoy a smoother snowbird lifestyle year after year.