Preparing for the off-season is not always as easy as locking your front door and calling it a day! If you have a vacation home in Venice, Florida—or anywhere else!—there are a few things that you should do before packing up and returning home. A checklist, such as this one, can help you remember the important things and ensure that your next visit goes smoothly!

Restock Your Essentials 

Think about your vacation: You arrive excited and ready to relax and have fun! One of the last things you want to do is have to run errands immediately after arrival because you don’t have some of the essentials. That just adds unneeded stress to what is supposed to be your time off! So before you leave for the off-season, take the time to make note of the things you might need as soon as you arrive. This could include things like non-perishable food items, bottled water, batteries, and even toilet paper and towels.

Prepare For Florida Weather

Floridians know that the weather can change rather quickly. A beautiful sunny day can turn into a downpour in just a few minutes! In Florida, the off-season is generally considered to be during the fall and spring months, with many choosing to travel during summer and winter. This means preparing your home for hurricane and tropical storm season. Once again, it is important to restock the essentials, in order to be prepared for any kind of weather and any kind of emergency. It is also important to make sure that the area around your home is safe. This means getting rid of or tying down any large objects (trash bins, patio furniture) that could fly away and making sure that tree branches around your property aren’t at risk of breaking and causing damage.

Complete Necessary Interior and Exterior Repairs 

The thing about repairs is that, well, they’re one of the most exhausting and time-consuming parts of home-ownership. However, they’re also extremely necessary. During your vacation, take note of things that might be in need of repair, and make sure that these problems are resolved before you leave. Smaller repairs, such as a sticky lock or changing out a lightbulb, could be done instantly, as soon as you notice something is wrong. Larger repairs, like a broken window or leaky roof, are best not to be pushed off for next year, as the problem may only become bigger—and more expensive—the more you neglect then. Save yourself the headache of dealing with the repairs in the future by dealing with them now. 

Refresh Your Home

Before leaving, think about things around your home that you may want to change or upgrade. Would this wall look better with a fresh coat of paint? Should this lamp be changed out to something more modern? What if this sofa was replaced with a sectional for the whole family? What if there were some flowers in the front garden? These are just some things to think about to ensure your Florida vacation home continues to be a place where you can spend quality time with yourself and your family.

Interested in learning about buying or selling a home in Venice, Florida? We’re here to help. Contact our agents today or call 941-488-6644.