As summer draws near, many Canadians plan extended visits to the family cottage or vacations in distant locations. The excitement of an impending trip can be distracting, but it is important to remember that several steps must be taken to ensure your home is vacation-ready.
“Summer vacations are a great way to relax with family, friends, and loved ones,” says Wade Webb, a broker with Royal LePage Kelowna, “but returning from vacation could be far from relaxing if you leave without preparing your home for your absence.”
To set your mind at ease and enjoy your vacation to the fullest, Webb recommends these three home preparation tips:
1. Unplug all non-essential electronics and appliances. Appliances and electronic devices left plugged in will continue to drain energy, even when not in use. Why add unnecessary costs to your energy bills? Any electrical appliance that is left plugged in also has the potential to cause a fire.
2. Ask a trusted neighbour to check on your house. If you are away for an extended period of time, it helps to know that a reliable person will keep an eye on your home. Anything suspicious can be reported the local police or brought to your attention. Better yet, a house-sitter can give the appearance of an occupied home, deterring potential burglars – and they can also take care of your pets and plants.
3. Cancel the newspaper delivery. No matter how reliable your neighbour is, a pile of newspapers at your doorway is a sure sign of your absence. Call your local newspaper provider to cancel service for the duration of your vacation. Most publishers will be happy to help you resume your service when you return.
Additional ideas on this topic are available at www.royallepage.ca.
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