Is your home well protected, safe, and ready for your long-term vacation? Prepping your home before heading out is vital if you’re a digital nomad or love going on long-term trips. Whether short or long-term, you often worry about your home’s security, stability, and safety. A lot could happen during your travel period.

Thankfully, there are things you can do before heading out. So before boarding that plane, look through these tips to exhaustively prepare your home if you’re planning to go on an extended trip.

Vacation-Proof Your Home

Security of your home should be your top priority before packing your bags and leaving for your trip. You need several layers of security to keep it safe and deter thieves or burglars. Think of installing smart sensors, timers, and alarm systems. Timers will help give an impression of an occupied home. You can set the timer to draw the blinds or turn on your radio and lights. Request a friend to check on your house once a week.

Got a Plant? Find a Sitter

Don’t forget your plants. You’ll need to get a plant sitter or create a self-watering system to ensure your plants are hydrated and healthy. You can also relocate them. But the best option is to pay a qualified plant sitter to look after your plants.

If you own a pet, you may also have to find a sitter if it’s not accompanying you on your trip. You can also request a neighbor, family, or friend to groom, walk, and feed your pet.

Empty and Unplug Your Fridge

Although it’s good to have timers to control your lights and blinds, you’ll need to figure out how to minimize your home’s energy consumption. Empty the fridge and unplug it. Since you’ll be out of your home for a while, you’ll need to remove any food and clean your fridge. Leftovers should last only 3-5 days in your fridge. The fruits in your fridge will rot before you come back. When stored together, fruits produce gases that increase the likelihood of rot. So, there is no point in keeping food in your fridge. Leave it empty and unplugged.   

Repair the Roof

Ensure the roof can victoriously handle the elements while you’re away. Ensure it is intact and can stand strong winds, rainfall, or winter. If winter is approaching, hire a contractor to look at your roof. They should assess the insulation, leaking points, or spots that may facilitate snow accumulation.

Pause Deliveries and Mails

Pause your mail and deliveries until your return from your trip. You can also get a friend to keep checking your mails. They can also send the mails to you. But it’s not ideal due to the costs involved. Also, it’s not favorable if you intend on visiting various locations throughout your trip.  

Sublet or Rent It

Consider subletting or renting your home while away. It’s a cost-effective technique to maintain your home and save rental expenses while on vacation. Are you wondering whether it is legal to sublet your rented apartment? Worry not. It’s legal. Your landlord will get the rental payments as per your lease agreement. 

You can also rent your home if you own it. Consider working with an NYC Property Management Company to make the process more manageable as you travel. The company will help you look for tenants, collect payments from them, and manage your temporary rental property. 

Use Your Car As a Security Decoy

Leave your car in clear view. You can leave it in the driveway. It gives the illusion that someone is at home, hence deterring intruders. But ensure you cover it with a weatherproof cover.  

Mow Your Front Yard

A well-maintained front yard is a good security decoy. It’s also a fantastic and visually pleasing way to maintain your home’s appeal while on vacation. Also, hire someone to care for and maintain your yard. The maintenance will make intruders assume that someone is at home. Hence, deterring them.

Inspect and Repair Any Leaks

Turn off taps and fix any leaks. A plumbing accident can occur, thus flooding your home. When you’re out of your home for long-term travel, you have no way to fix any leakage and avoid possible damage from the leaks. A tiny leak can cause severe damage if left unattended.

Therefore, fix any plumbing issues and turn off taps and all fixtures before leaving your home.

Conclusion

If you are traveling for a long time, you need to figure out how you will maintain and preserve your home. Leaving it unguarded for long periods makes your home vulnerable to theft, natural disasters, accidents, and severe weather. Therefore, preparing your home for the long trip will help protect, and keep it safe and intact. You should secure and vacation-proof your home against theft, the weather, leaks, or electrical accidents. Prepping your home will let you enjoy your vacation or indulge in your trip without worrying about your home. 

Post Written By: Lisa Mottins