Summer is a great time to hit the road! Kids are out of school and the weather is beautiful – it’s the perfect chance to go to beaches, camp, enjoy a cruise and more. There are tons of options to choose from and lots of details to plan for a great summer vacation for everyone whether you are planning a road trip to Williamsburg, Ocean City or Virginia Beach… or hopping on a plane for far-away exotic adventures!

While relaxation and fun are on your mind, it’s just as important, as a homeowner, to think about the state of the home you’ll be leaving behind. Regardless of whether you live in a high-rise near DuPont Circle or in Georgetown, it’s important to know how to prepare your home for an extended time away.
 
If you work with a community association management company, you can reach out to your community association manager for specific vacation preparation tips. No matter where you live, here are some simple tips to help ensure your home is safe and well maintained while you are off enjoying the summer sun. 

1. Save Money and Energy.
There are many ways to lower your energy bills while you are out of town. Set the air conditioner at a higher temperature, but don’t turn it off (unless you are leaving pets at home). The unit will kick on when temperatures rise, making it look like someone is home. Also, consider turning off the circuit breaker or gas valve to your hot water heater, or simply turn it to a lower setting so it isn’t working when it doesn’t have to be. Turn the fridge up a degree or two and shut off the automatic ice maker.
 
You don’t want to leave your home completely dark, because that’s an obvious sign you are away. But you also don’t want lamps, TVs, and other appliances running unnecessarily. Instead, set your lights and TVs with a timer so that they are on at appropriate times and turn off when you would be going to bed; many smart home devices are now available that allow you to control these items from your smart phone too. Leave your blinds slightly open so that lights and flashing TVs inside the house shine out.

2. Ask For Assistance from Neighbors and Friends.
Having a friend that you can trust on your block or in your building can go a long way toward helping you relax while you are gone. Make sure you leave a key with this person and an emergency contact number in case you need to be reached while you’re on vacation. Have them check on your home now and again to make sure everything is in order. If you leave before trash day, ask them to put out your trash and retrieve the cans, so they don’t sit on the curb for days. Be willing to return the favor when your neighbors are away, and bring them a gift or token of your appreciation for taking time to give you peace of mind. This way, you’ll form a stronger friendship, and know that any time you have to leave town, you don’t have to worry about what’s going on around your home.

3. Schedule Lawn and Pet Care.
If you plan to be gone for more than a few days, make sure you arrange for your grass to be mowed, bushes and landscaping to be tended to and your pool cleaned, if needed. Overgrown grass and weeds are a sign that no one is home. Ask a neighbor or friend to park a car in your driveway once in a while and retrieve mail or newspapers (if you haven’t suspended these services) so it looks like people are coming and going. If your furry friends can’t go along for the trip, consider keeping them in your home rather than boarding them in a kennel; if you don’t know anyone who can check on them, there are websites that connect pet owners with background checked pet sitters and dog walkers. Not only does this cause less stress on your pets, it provides visible activity in your home.
 
4. Be Subtle About Being Gone.
Nothing ruins a great trip like coming home to a burglarized property. In the Washington, D.C. area, the FBI recorded about 3,500 burglaries in 2014 alone. Thankfully, there are several ways to discourage potential criminals who might be lurking near the neighborhood or observing people’s behaviors for clues that residents are away. Try not to pack your car in open view. Use your garage for loading the car to limit the number of individuals who will know you are planning to be away. You should also consider stopping mail and newspaper service while you are gone, so that it doesn’t pile up. You can easily arrange for your mail service to be held for you by visiting www.usps.com.
 
Set your answering machine or voicemail to answer on the second ring, and turn down your ringer volume. A phone ringing off the hook is a good indication no one is home. Be very careful about broadcasting your travel plans on social media such as Facebook or Twitter, regardless of your account privacy settings. Also, if several neighbors are traveling at the same time, residents can contact the local police department and your community association manager so extra eyes can be on the neighborhood. If you have a Neighborhood Watch program, let them know you’re traveling and who will be in and out of your home (pet sitters, etc.).
 
Following these simple tips can help you save money and energy, keep intruders away from your property, and bring you peace of mind while you’re enjoying your time away from home.
 
Tuesday August 02, 2016