How do I prepare my home for a year-long absence?

If you’re planning to leave your house for a year, it’s crucial to prepare your home accordingly to make sure it’s safe, secure, and well-maintained during your absence. Here are some helpful tips to follow before you head out:

• Don’t Make Your House Vacant: Leaving your house completely vacant can attract unwanted attention and make it an easy target for burglars. Try to get someone to house-sit or rent out your property to avoid such a situation.
• Clean The Refrigerator: Clean out the refrigerator and freezer, and unplug them to avoid wasting energy and prevent any potential leaks while you’re away.
• Prepare Your House For Every Possible Weather: Depending on where you live, you need to prepare your home for any possible weather hazards like rain, snow, or hurricanes. Make sure to seal all gaps and windows properly, check the roof, and ensure the house’s foundation is stable.
• Discontinue Services: Notify all your service providers (internet, TV, phone, etc.) to discontinue their services until you return.
• Unplug Electronic Appliances: To save energy and avoid fires, remember to unplug electronic appliances like the TV, computer, or washing machine before you leave.
• Turn Off The Water Supply: Turn off the water supply to prevent any potential leaks or plumbing problems that can damage your house while you’re away.
• Don’t Hide Your Keys: Hiding your house keys is never a good idea. Instead, give them to a trusted neighbor or friend or invest in a keyless entry system.
• Clean Your House And Turn It Spotless: Finally, clean your house thoroughly and make it spotless. Make sure to throw away any food, change bed sheets, and vacuum the floor before leaving. A clean home not only feels better to come back to after a long trip but also deters pests and insects.

By following the above tips, you can ensure your house remains safe, secure, and well-maintained while you’re away. Lastly, remember to inform your trusted contacts, including neighbors, family members, and friends, of your departure and provide them with necessary keys and access codes for emergencies.

How to Leave Your House for a Year

Leaving your house for an extended period of time can be a stressful experience. You want to make sure that your house is secure and well-maintained while you are away. In this article, we will provide you with tips and tricks on how to leave your house for a year without worrying about it.

Keep Your House Occupied

It’s important to keep your house occupied even when you are away for a year. This will help to deter burglars and also ensure that your house is well-maintained. If you have a trusted friend or family member, you can ask them to check on your house regularly. Alternatively, you can hire someone to stay in your house while you are away. This will give you peace of mind knowing that your house is safe and secure.

Cleaning and Organizing Your Refrigerator

Before you leave your house for a year, you need to clean and organize your refrigerator. Start by removing all the food items from your refrigerator and freezer and throwing away any expired or old food. Clean the shelves and drawers with warm soapy water. Once you have cleaned everything, make sure to leave the refrigerator door slightly open to prevent any mold or mildew from forming. Pro Tip: To prevent any bad odors in your refrigerator while you are away, place an open container of baking soda in your refrigerator.

Preparing Your Home for All Weather Conditions

You need to prepare your house for all weather conditions, especially if you live in an area prone to hurricanes or other severe weather. If you live in an area prone to hurricanes, make sure to board up your windows and doors with hurricane shutters to prevent any damage. If you live in an area prone to flooding, make sure to take all the necessary precautions to prevent water damage. Pro Tip: Make sure to turn off all the appliances in your house to prevent any electrical damage that may be caused by a power surge or lightning.

Cancelling and Pausing Services

Before you leave, make sure to cancel or pause any services that you no longer need while you are away. This includes your cable, internet, and phone services. This will help you save money and also prevent any unnecessary charges. Pro Tip: Contact your utility company to inform them that you will be away for a year. They can help you set up a payment plan that works for you.

Unplugging Electronic Appliances

To prevent any potential electrical fires or power surges, make sure to unplug all electronic appliances before you leave your house. This includes your television, computer, and any other electronic devices. Pro Tip: Make sure to also unplug your garage door opener to prevent any potential thefts.

Turning Off Water Supply

Before you leave, make sure to turn off the water supply to prevent any leaks or water damage. This will also help you save money on water bills while you are away. Pro Tip: To prevent any potential leaks, make sure to turn off the water supply to your washing machine and dishwasher.

Avoiding Key Hiding Places

Do not leave your house key in any traditional hiding places. Burglars know all the common hiding places, so it’s best to avoid them altogether. Instead, give your key to a trusted friend or family member, or invest in a lockbox with a combination. Pro Tip: Consider installing a smart lock system on your front door. This will allow you to control access to your house remotely.

Deep Cleaning Your Home

Before you leave your house, make sure to deep clean it. This includes dusting, vacuuming, and mopping all the floors. Clean the windows and blinds to let in as much natural light as possible. Make sure to also take out the garbage and recycling to prevent any bad odors while you are away. Pro Tip: To make your house smell fresh and clean, place a few scented candles or essential oil diffusers throughout your house. In conclusion, leaving your house for a year can be a stressful experience. But with a little bit of planning and preparation, you can ensure that your house is secure and well-maintained while you are away. Keep your house occupied, clean your refrigerator, prepare your house for all weather conditions, cancel or pause services, unplug electronic appliances, turn off the water supply, avoid key hiding places, and deep clean your home before you leave. Happy travels!